Hundreds of migrants swim from Morocco to Spain’s Ceuta province.

Hundreds of refugees have crossed into Spain’s North African port of Ceuta from Morocco last week. The leader of the region said..

Juan Jesús Vivas said the flow was an enormous amount of resources and urged the Spanish government to intervene. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlasca is expected to visit on Friday, news agency Reuters reported.

Images showed migrants swimming to Ceuta on Thursday, using inflatable rings and other flotation devices, while others ran through a gate in the border fence.

Ceuta, on Morocco’s northern coast, is separated from mainland Spain by the coast of Gibraltar and has long been a hub for migrants trying to reach Europe.

There are conflicting reports on the size of the crossing, with figures ranging from hundreds to thousands.

Spanish media said between 2,000 and 3,000 people had entered Ceuta on Thursday, Reuters reported, but the Guardia Civil said it did not confirm the number.

Meanwhile, according to the Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, “hundreds” crossed into the territory during the day. More than 1,500 mostly young Moroccan refugees have arrived in Ceuta in the past two weeks, he said.

Vivas said the bodies of 60 people have been found at sea in the past months, RTVE reported.

He also said the state was facing a humanitarian and security emergency, warning that reception centers for unaccompanied minors were often operating at their intended capacity, Reuters reported.

The increase compares to May 2021; In a few days, 8,000 people entered CeutaIt is escalating diplomatic tensions with Morocco.

The Spanish territories of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa represent the European Union’s only land border with Africa.

Spanish authorities have stepped up security in recent years with surveillance, strengthening of barriers and improved bilateral relations with Morocco, but people continue to try to cross.