Spain and Morocco have vowed to return the thousands of people who stormed the border at Ceuta on Thursday and anyone else who has entered illegally over the past 10 days.

The agreement comes amid the severe pressure being mounted on the Spanish enclave’s migrant reception centres and public services.

In a statement on Thursday, Spain’s Ministry of the Interior said both governments had agreed to review and implement measures to ensure the return of people ‘as soon as possible.’

The ministry described the cooperation between Madrid and Rabat on migration as ‘exemplary’, adding that Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has been in constant contact with his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit, to coordinate the response.

Spanish authorities also accused people-smuggling networks of exploiting a recent court ruling to encourage a surge in irregular migration, particularly among young people.

The announcement came as migration pressure intensified on Thursday, when thousands of young Moroccans gathered at the border between Castillejos (Fnideq) and Ceuta in an apparent attempt to enter Spanish territory.

According to reports, hundreds managed to breach the border and enter the enclave after crossing the fencing or reaching Ceuta via the Tarajal breakwater.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the government was ‘fully committed to providing an immediate response’ to the crisis.

‘We are mobilising all the necessary resources, working with the Moroccan and international authorities, and preparing the measures needed to restore normality as soon as possible,’ he said in a message posted on social media.

Sanchez added that ‘now is the time to build solutions with responsibility and cooperation.’

Grande-Marlaska is due to visit Ceuta on Friday to assess the situation and meet local authorities, as Spain and Morocco continue efforts to stem the flow of irregular migrants.