Tens of thousands of migrants enter Spanish territory, then return to Morocco

Geoff Bennett:

In the day's other headlines: Spain is rushing troops and resources to one of its territories in North Africa after tens of thousands of migrants crossed the border from Morocco into the small enclave of Ceuta.

On the shores of Ceuta, Spain's enclave in North Africa, wave after wave of migrants swam ashore Thursday, overwhelming the city, filling the streets, charging the fences, some dropping to their knees in the sand grateful to reach dry land.

In roughly 48 hours, more than 60,000 migrants have entered Ceuta, equal to roughly 70 percent of its entire population. Ceuta sits on the northern tip of Africa, bordered by Morocco and separated from mainland Spain by about 11 miles of sea.

Many say they made the journey in search of a better life.

Dounia Kherradi, Moroccan Migrant (through interpreter):

I came here to seek a better future. I work as a waitress, but the salary I get is not enough. As I take care of my parents and I have a daughter, I have to find better opportunities. May God help us.

Abdelkarin Monglad, Moroccan Migrant (through interpreter):

I came from Casablanca this morning today, to, like all young people, find an opportunity, find a future, a good future for myself.

Geoff Bennett:

One possible factor for the wave of migrants, according to a top Spanish official, a Spanish court ruling this month that migrants stopped at sea can't be immediately turned away, though they can still be deported.

Meantime, the city is at a breaking point. Spain has deployed its military. And with food and water running short, the Spanish government says at least three-quarters of the migrants have already turned back toward Morocco, among them this man with a warning for anyone thinking of following.

Reda, Moroccan Migrant (through interpreter):

What we were doing, it's not good at all, and it's not fun either. What's more, I mean, people are dying here. I beg you, please, if you haven't come yet, don't come.

Geoff Bennett:

At least 57 people have died attempting the crossing. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez rushed to the enclave and today called the surge an attack on his country.

Pedro Sanchez, Spanish Prime Minister (through interpreter):

I would like to define what happened yesterday as an attack, a violation of territorial integrity of Spain. Ceuta is a Spanish city, and what happened yesterday deserves all of our rebuke, all of our condemnation in the strongest possible way.

Geoff Bennett:

The fallout is spreading across Europe. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the country would temporarily suspend a border-sharing agreement with Spain.

And France said it would reinforce its Spanish border. And the crisis is echoing here at home. At Camp David today, President Trump seized on the images, casting them as a warning ahead of the midterm elections.

President Donald Trump:

It looks like an invasion of a country by hundreds of thousands of people. And that same thing is going to happen to us if the Republicans don't get elected, except worse, much bigger.

Geoff Bennett:

Back in Ceuta, soldiers patrol the beaches and thousands wait on both sides of the fence, some for a way into Europe. Others for a way home.