The estimated number of arrivals is more than 70% of the population of the city, which is about 83,600.

About 49,000 migrants have crossed into Spain's North African territory of Ceuta from Morocco in the last 24 hours via land and sea, officials estimate. At least 24 people died while trying to reach the territory - some swimming to cross into Spain. This comes after Spain's Supreme Court ruled this month that migrants stopped at sea while trying to reach Ceuta or Melilla, another Spanish exclave, cannot be summarily returned to Morocco. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the situation as an "attack" and said the government was working to return all illegal migrants to Morocco "as soon as possible". Several European leaders have expressed concern, some promising to tighting border controls. Ceuta, on Morocco's northern coast, is separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar and has long been a focal point for migrants attempting to reach Europe. Local officials had appealed to Madrid for help after a recent rise in attempted crossings, but there were chaotic scenes on Thursday as border controls apparently broke down. Videos and images from Thursday show thousands of people swimming into the city, while local media reported crossings continuing into Friday. The astonishing estimation by Spanish officials suggests the number of migrants who entered into Ceuta in the last day or so could be more than half of the population of the city - which sits at around 83,600 according to the latest local figures.