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At least 18 migrants have died while attempting to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after thousands crossed the border from Morocco in one of the largest migration surges seen in the region in recent years. The humanitarian situation continued to worsen on Friday as migrants kept arriving by sea while clashes broke out between Moroccan security forces and groups gathered near the border. Hundreds of migrants were seen on hills overlooking Ceuta as Moroccan authorities used tear gas to disperse crowds trying to move toward the Spanish territory. Despite the security operation, many people continued to swim across the narrow stretch of water separating Morocco from Ceuta. At the same time, large numbers of migrants who had already entered the enclave chose to return to Morocco on foot. Rachid Sbihi, who heads a local association representing Spain’s Civil Guard officers, described the situation as a serious humanitarian emergency. He said thousands of migrants, including many unaccompanied children, were sleeping in parks, streets and public spaces because reception centres had reached capacity. Emergency teams and military personnel sent to the area have mainly focused on treating the injured and providing humanitarian assistance as authorities struggle to manage the crisis. According to local officials, many of the 18 victims drowned while trying to swim into Ceuta. Others reportedly died during a stampede near the breakwater at Tarajal beach as large crowds rushed toward the border. Rescue teams continued searching the coastline while personal belongings including shoes, clothing and flotation devices were scattered along the shore. Many migrants said they left Morocco in search of better economic opportunities in Europe. One migrant, 33 year old Ahmed Karim, said unemployment and limited prospects at home had driven many people to take the dangerous journey. He explained that many dream of reaching Europe or the United States but see few legal opportunities to do so. Moroccan authorities strengthened security along the border by deploying additional police officers, using water cannons and firing warning shots into the air to stop more crossings. Human rights groups said migrants who were detained near the border were transported further into Morocco, although many others continued arriving in the area hoping to enter Ceuta. Morocco’s ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, expressed hope that those who had crossed into Ceuta would voluntarily return. She said Morocco supports safe and orderly migration but did not comment on what had triggered the sudden movement of thousands of people toward the Spanish territory. Officials in Spain linked the surge to a recent Supreme Court ruling stating that migrants who reach Spain by swimming cannot automatically be returned, unlike those who cross by land or climb the border fence. The Spanish government argued that people smuggling networks had exploited public misunderstanding of the ruling to encourage migrants to attempt the dangerous crossing. Some Moroccan rights activists questioned that explanation, saying many migrants were unlikely to have known about the legal decision. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was expected to visit Ceuta after local authorities requested military assistance. His government’s migration policies have come under criticism from opposition politicians, who argue that recent measures granting residency and work permits to certain undocumented migrants have encouraged more people to head for Spain. The government rejected those claims, insisting the current crisis is unrelated to its immigration reforms. The unrest also spread to Melilla, Spain’s other North African enclave, where groups of migrants attempted to cross the border and clashed with Moroccan police. Rights groups reported injuries among security personnel and dozens of arrests. Spanish officials have not yet confirmed how many migrants entered Ceuta, although media reports estimate that between 30,000 and 49,000 people crossed into the territory within a single day, placing enormous pressure on a city with a population of about 84,000.