Spain has returned almost all of the illegal migrants who entered the autonomous city of Ceuta during last week's mass border crossing, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, as authorities also investigate reports that suspected jihadist extremists were among those who crossed into the enclave.


In a statement, the ministry said that entering Spain illegally through the autonomous cities of Ceuta or Melilla does not confer the right to remain in the country, travel to mainland Spain or move freely across Europe, Russian media writes.


It added that security at Ceuta's border had been strengthened with a special maritime barrier.


"Almost everyone who crossed the border on July 30 has already been returned to Morocco," the ministry said.


The announcement follows a major migration surge in late July, when tens of thousands of people reached Ceuta by swimming or walking around the breakwater separating the Spanish enclave from Morocco. Spain deployed military personnel to support security operations in response to the crisis.


According to the Spanish government, at least 88 people died while attempting to reach Ceuta, while Moroccan authorities reported 11 fatalities.


Separately, Spanish law enforcement agencies have identified individuals previously investigated for jihadist terrorism among the migrants who entered Ceuta during the mass crossing, according to a Spanish newspaper.


The newspaper reported that an analysis of CCTV footage had identified at least a dozen potentially dangerous individuals. It said the suspects had previously been arrested, convicted and deported to Morocco, but had since re-entered Spain illegally and could be among around 5,000 migrants who have yet to be repatriated.


According to the report, specialist teams are reviewing surveillance footage, images published by media outlets, photographs shared on social media and recordings from border cameras to identify the individuals.


Spanish authorities have not publicly confirmed the identities of the suspects or announced any arrests linked to the investigation. Meanwhile, the foreign ministry said the vast majority of those who crossed into Ceuta during the crisis have already been returned to Morocco.


By Aghakazim Guliyev