Spain has deployed its armed forces to the North African enclave of Ceuta after thousand migrants crossed into the territory from neighbouring Morocco in one of the largest border breaches in recent years. The Spanish interior ministry has said that over 49,000 people have crossed into Ceuta in last 24 hours. The surge has overwhelmed local authorities, stretched reception centres and reignited debate over migration, border security and Spain's ties with Morocco.
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At least 34 people have died while attempting to reach the Spanish territory, most of them drowning as they tried to swim around the border barriers. Spanish authorities have sent military reinforcements, while the European Union has offered support to help restore order at the frontier.
The latest influx has also sparked political tensions beyond Spain. Italy has raised the possibility of "extraordinary measures" over concerns about Europe's external borders, while Spanish officials have accused some European politicians of exploiting the crisis for political gain.
Ceuta migrant crisis explained in 10 points
Where is Ceuta?
Ceuta is a small autonomous Spanish city on the northern coast of Africa. It sits on a six-mile-long peninsula bordering Morocco, just across the Strait of Gibraltar from mainland Spain.
