About 49,000 migrants have crossed into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in the last 24 hours, according to Spanish officials. This number is significant as it represents more than half of Ceuta's population, which is around 83,600 based on the latest local figures.

Videos and images showed thousands of people swimming into the city on Thursday, with local media reporting that crossings continued overnight into Friday. Officials also reported that at least 7,000 of those who crossed illegally are minors.

Tragically, at least 18 people have died while attempting to reach the territory in recent days.

This surge follows a ruling by Spain's Supreme Court earlier this month, which stated that migrants intercepted at sea while trying to reach Ceuta or Melilla, another Spanish enclave, cannot be summarily returned to Morocco.

The influx comes after thousands of migrants were reported to have illegally crossed into Ceuta on Thursday and Friday.

Sources