France ready to provide support to Spain in Ceuta migrant crisis

France stands ready to help Spain tackle a sudden influx of migrants into its Ceuta territory in northern Morocco, and President Emmanuel Macron gave an order Friday to "strengthen controls at the border with Spain," a presidential aide said.

Macron said that "France stands ready to provide the Spanish authorities with any support they may need, should they request it," the aide said, also referring to support through European border agency Frontex.

At least 34 migrants trying to reach the Spanish territory of Ceuta have died after breaching the border from Morocco, as tens of thousands of people entered the enclave ⁠in the past 24 ⁠hours.

Juan Jesus Vivas, the regional president of the North African Spanish enclave, confirmed the death toll to reporters on Friday, without giving details about how the victims died.

He said around 60,000 people had crossed from Morocco into Ceuta by land and sea, many by swimming around a border barrier stretching into the water.