More than 37,500 migrants who flooded into Spain have returned to Morocco.

Spanish authorities say more than 37,500 migrants who flooded into Ceuta have turned back to Morocco.

The Spanish Interior Ministry wrote in a statement sent to AFP that as of 3:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. Hanoi time) on July 31, more than 37,500 migrants had left the country and returned to Morocco.

Juan Jesus Vivas, head of the local government in Ceuta, had previously stated that up to 60,000 people had crossed the area and 34 had died.

Migrants flooding into Ceuta on July 30. Video: X/Cerfia

Ceuta, a Spanish autonomous city, is separated from Morocco by a 10-meter-high border fence, but migrants from Morocco can swim across the sea, bypassing the fence to reach Tarajal beach in Ceuta.

Tensions at the border between Spain and Morocco escalated after a surge in the number of migrants entering Ceuta on July 29. Videos from the scene showed thousands of people, mostly men, swimming around breakwaters on Tarajal beach or breaking through gates on the border fence to enter the city. Some chanted “Long live Spain!” as they entered Spanish territory.

Migrants leaving Ceuta, Spain, to return to Morocco on July 31. Photo: AP

The simultaneous influx of tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco into Ceuta created a chaotic scene, challenging regional security forces. Spain deployed troops to assist Ceuta authorities in restoring order and ensuring security, requesting Morocco’s cooperation in controlling the situation and planning for the repatriation of those crossing the border as soon as possible.

Moroccan security forces also deployed anti-riot measures, using tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds gathered near the border.

US President Donald Trump described the migration crisis in Spain as horrific, saying it was a warning to America “if the Democrats come to power.”