At least 18 migrants died trying to reach the Spanish territory of Ceuta after tens of thousands of people breached the frontier with Morocco and poured into the tiny Spanish territory.

The crisis in Ceuta, on the African coast, instantly became a touchstone in the global migrant debate as suspicions swirled that the viral incident was orchestrated.

Spain on Saturday installed a 500-meter-long (1,600-foot) barrier on the sea border between its North African territory of Ceuta and neighboring Morocco after tens of thousands of migrants breached

Spain and Morocco reinforced the border fence of a Spanish enclave after around 49,000 people arrived by sea in one day. Dozens of bodies have been recovered, Spanish authorities said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed on Monday that the EU increase ​its support to Morocco to help prevent a repeat ‌of the chaotic attempted influx of 50,000 migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last week.

Spain has reiterated the importance of Morocco’s cooperation, pushing back claims and criticism from far-right parties amid Ceuta crisis

While Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has avoided blaming Rabat, politicians from both left and right insist Morocco has questions to answer.

Thousands of migrants ” totally collapsed” border fences and flooded into the tiny Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco Thursday — spurring local officials to urge Spain’s government to declare a national emergency.

His visit comes as at least 34 deaths have been reported after a drastic increase in border crossings from Morocco.

Close to 50,000 Moroccan migrants crossed into Spain's Ceuta enclave in just two days, creating a humanitarian emergency and leaving behind striking scenes along Europe's southern border.

The countries are two of the co-hosts for the tournament and both are pressing their case to stage the biggest game in world sport

They swam in inflatable rubber rings. When the young Moroccan men reached European territory on the other side of the Tarajal breakwater, they got to their feet, dropped the beach toys and broke into