Spain has deployed military to Ceuta after thousands of people breached the border between Morocco and the Spanish exclave. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
At least 18 migrants died trying to reach the Spanish territory of Ceuta. The border crisis boiled over Thursday and overnight. Spain's state broadcaster RTVE broadcast images of burned cars on the Moroccan side of the border after reported clashes.
Rachid Sbihi, who leads a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, called the situation a "serious humanitarian crisis," saying thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, were left sleeping in parks and sidewalks.
"People are still entering. The reinforcements that have arrived are only helping the injured and other humanitarian efforts. It's chaotic," he said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to join Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska in a visit to Ceuta on Friday morning.
Among the 18 who died, many drowned, Sbihi said, but some were also killed in a stampede to cross the breakwater fence.