Death toll in Spain's Ceuta border crisis rises to 67

The death toll in the migrant crisis at Spain's Ceuta border with Morocco has risen to 67, the Spanish government said on Saturday.

According to the Associated Press, some migrants drowned while others were killed in a stampede as thousands attempted to cross a breakwater barrier into the Spanish enclave.

Between 50,000 and 60,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta between Thursday and Friday, prompting Spain to announce the installation of a 500-metre containment barrier along the breakwater extending into the sea.

On Saturday morning, a small number of exhausted migrants who swam to Ceuta's Tarajal beach were met by Spanish soldiers and escorted back across the border. Spain's Interior Ministry said most of those who entered the North African enclave had already returned to Morocco.

Although the streets of Ceuta were calmer after days of unrest, authorities said the city had not yet returned to normal.

"Life in this city has been disrupted as a result of the border incident," Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas said.

"The return of people has begun satisfactorily, but the process must be completed. The city has not yet returned to normal," he added.

In Morocco, exhausted migrants gathered at Tangier's main railway station after returning from Ceuta or while waiting for another opportunity to reach the European Union.

Many migrants were also seen walking towards the border near the Moroccan town of Fnideq. Taxi drivers and bus operators reportedly refused to transport them, fearing action by authorities, while police set up checkpoints and inspected vehicles heading towards the border.

Despite the heightened security, some migrants who managed to enter Ceuta said they intended to remain there.