Thousands of Moroccan migrants have returned home after making a dramatic sea crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, as European leaders clashed over the mass influx.

Spain said around 48,000 of the estimated 60,000 people who crossed into Ceuta this week had already returned to Morocco, many escorted back by Spanish soldiers.

Spanish authorities said around 8,000 of those who crossed were children.

At least 67 people are believed to have died attempting to reach the enclave.

Videos shared online last week showed people swimming around the border barriers, some wearing swimsuits and using inflatable rings to make the dangerous journey.

Ceuta, together with the nearby Spanish enclave of Melilla, forms the European Union’s only land border with Africa.

It remains unclear what triggered this week’s mass crossings, although both enclaves have experienced similar surges in the past.

Europe divided over crossings

The crossings have sparked political tensions across Europe.

France said it would increase checks along its border with Spain, while Italy threatened to suspend Spain from the Schengen free-travel area.

Finland and Denmark backed Italy’s move, and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš called for Spain’s temporary suspension from the passport-free zone.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the response, writing to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that “the European Union cannot afford this kind of selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction.”

Several politicians and commentators have alleged that Israel and the United States have sought to destabilise Spain in response to Madrid’s opposition to the US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

US President Donald Trump described the situation as “a catastrophe”, adding: “If we’re not in office our country will be invaded at levels that will make Spain look small time.”