At least 34 people have died while attempting to reach Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta by sea, as nearly 50,000 migrants crossed into the territory from neighboring Morocco over the past two days.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the incident as "a violation of Spain's territorial integrity."

According to Spanish authorities, most of the victims drowned while attempting to swim around the El Tarajal border breakwater separating Morocco and Ceuta.

Sanchez visited Ceuta on Friday with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation. 

During the visit, he announced new border security measures, including the installation of floating barriers near the El Tarajal breakwater to prevent further sea crossings.

He also pledged to accelerate the identification and return of irregular migrants, thanked Morocco for its cooperation in border management and repatriation, and vowed to intensify efforts against human trafficking networks.

The Spanish government has reinforced security in Ceuta by deploying additional National Police officers, Civil Guard personnel and military units, while emergency reception facilities remain under heavy pressure.

The Spanish authorities estimate that around 50,000 migrants have entered Ceuta over the past two days, making it one of the largest irregular migration crises ever recorded on the enclave's border.