Tens of thousands have taken to the streets across Spain to protest the government's handling of Ceuta's migrant surge

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets across Spanish cities to protest against the government's handling of the migrant surge in Ceuta.Opposition parties accuse Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez of abandoning the residents of the small Spanish enclave on the North African coast.At least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on July 30 and 31. And although most have since returned, as many as 5,000 – including 1,200 children – remain in makeshift camps, scattered across the city's streets or on the beach.A police report said Moroccan security forces showed 'total permissiveness' during the surge, a view at odds with Mr Sanchez who has insisted Morocco was not responsible. He has blamed trafficking gangs and online misinformation for encouraging people to cross the border, while Morocco has denied orchestrating or being involved in the mass crossing.While rejecting suggestions that Moroccan authorities helped orchestrate the incident, Mr Sanchez said Moroccan police 'allowed the border to be crossed'.It comes as officials in Ceuta warned that the small city in north Africa remains on the brink of disaster, with the 'worst of the worst' still there. The Spanish prime minister said his government would release key reports about the border breach, but did not say when they would be made public or what they would entail. Protesters in Madrid hold flags and a sign during a demonstration in support of residents of Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on Wednesday People attended a demonstration in Madrid on Wednesday, which called for the resignation of Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez Law enforcement officers say Ceuta has seen daily outbreaks of violence with the 'worst of the worst' still thereHe also raised the official death toll from the event to 141 people, up significantly from the latest estimate of 96 in both Spain and Morocco, provided by authorities in Ceuta and Morocco's National Human Rights Council. It is not known how it had been tallied. Mr Sanchez is under growing scrutiny from angered residents of Ceuta, where the flood of thousands of migrants has angered residents in the tiny community, which is ill-equipped to handle such an influx.Top government officials have at times provided conflicting information about the event. Last week, the defense ministry said Spain's intelligence agency provided prior warning of the border rush, while the interior ministry and others said it had not. Rallies were called this week by city councils across Spain where opposition parties – the conservative Partido Popular (PP) and far-Right Vox party – govern or have significant popularity.Spaniards joined protests in support of Ceuta, demanding solutions to the city's ongoing tensions and calling for the resignation of Mr Sanchez.There were ugly scenes in Barcelona as thousands of protesters were met by a rival gathering chanting anti-racist and anti-fascist slogans, with police forced to intervene. PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo was at a rally in Madrid where more than 50,000 people gathered, according to government figures. 'A Spanish city has been invaded, occupied and, unfortunately, this happened with the knowledge of the government of Spain,' he said. Citizens of Ceuta protest against the migration crisis on Thusday as the Red Cross distributes foodThere was also a rally in Ceuta, with crowds chanting: 'Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta must be defended.'Mr Sanchez faced a barrage of questions on Thursday from lawmakers after his opening address alongside calls for early elections.'The people of Ceuta have been without normality, without security and without answers for over a month. And us Spaniards are at the same time perplexed and outraged in the face of the violation of our territorial integrity,' said Mr Feijoo.'Why are you afraid of Morocco?' Feijoo asked.Most of the migrants who crossed into Ceuta in late July returned to neighboring Morocco or were ushered back within days. But around 5,000 people, including 1,200 minors remain in the city weeks later, according to the national government. Ceuta's local government cites a higher figure of about 9,000 people.Mr Sanchez, who faces an election next year, has said a misinterpretation of a Supreme Court ruling and disinformation on social media encouraged people to rush the border.The prime minister has also accused social media accounts linked to Russia and Israel and right-wing groups of exploiting and amplifying the Ceuta crisis after it happened on July 30 and 31. Israel and Russia have denied the claim.Questions about Morocco's role Mr Sanchez also maintained there was no evidence Morocco's government was behind the mass crossing.'I can assure you that no institution - neither the diplomatic service, nor the European Commission, nor any international body - has provided the Spanish government with solid evidence that Morocco planned or carried out the incident. None,' Mr Sanchez said.Earlier this week, Spanish media reported that a police report had highlighted the alleged permissiveness of Moroccan security forces in the incident, but Spanish officials denied that the document blamed the Moroccan government.Mr Sanchez acknowledged that for a 10-hour period on July 30 when migrant arrivals peaked, Morocco's Gendarmerie police 'allowed the border to be crossed', in Ceuta, but said the same force effectively took control of it later.As questions have grown on the right and left in Spain about Morocco's role in the event, the Spanish leader said he would wait until there was solid evidence about Rabat's involvement.'For the record, if such solid evidence existed, we would act accordingly with absolute decisiveness, as the situation demands,' he said.Mr Sanchez condemned comments from two Moroccan ministers questioning the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's other territory in North Africa. Spain summoned Morocco's ambassador in Madrid over the comments, he said.Morocco's Foreign Ministry did not respond to questions seeking comment on Spain summoning the Moroccan ambassador to Madrid or the alleged Spanish police report.The two exclaves have the European Union's only land borders with Africa.- READ MORE: We'd stop the boats in 100 days: Farage reveals Reform's plan to block migrants, slash benefits and cut taxes