Thousands of migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday, overwhelming police and emergency services after swimming around the breakwater at the Tarajal border and entering on foot. Some of those who entered on Thursday returned to Morocco of their own will but other were still trying to cross into Ceuta. But by Friday afternoon, there were reports that as many as 37,000 of those who had entered Ceuta unlawfully had returned to Morocco. But there were claims too that Morocco had eased controls around the Ceuta border angered by a recent visit by Mr Sanchez to Algeria. Spain’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs rejected those claims and insisted Spain and Morocco maintained excellent relations and were working together to address the crisis.