80 migrants dead in Spain’s Canary Islands as nation protests policies

Spanish authorities find more than 80 migrants

dead, after a boat carrying 128 that

set sail from West Africa's Gambia 27 days ago

was spotted in the Canary Islands today.

This as tens of thousands of protesters gather across Spain to

demand solutions from the government as the city of Ceuta faces

an ongoing border crisis.

About 5,000 of the 72,000 Moroccan migrants

who rushed the Spanish territory early in July refuse to leave, with many

camping out on a beach.

The Spanish city of Ceuta on the northern African coast

celebrates its official holiday on September 2.

The occasion is usually ignored by those on the mainland.

But not this year, as tens of thousands head to the streets in protest of

what has become Spain's worst border crisis in living memory.

In Madrid, authorities say some 50,000 protesters turned out.

There were significant turnouts, too, in Barcelona, Valencia and Seville.

Protesters demand solutions to the Ceuta migrant crisis,

where tens of thousands from Morocco

rushed to the Spanish enclave with a population of just more than 80,000

back in July.

Angry Spaniards are blaming Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez

and his government for mishandling the situation, as local Ceuta authorities

say that central government ignored warning signs before the border was breached.

Those marching the streets of Madrid say they want accountability.

"Because a prime minister cannot go on vacation for 27 or 28

days when there is a crisis of an invasion like this, and say

the Moroccan government is cooperating. It's a lie.

This government lies," one protest says.

Others wave Spanish flags with some holding banners

reading "Ceuta is not for sale" and "We want to know the truth".

Spanish newspaper El Pais reports police fired rubber bullets

and tear gas to disperse crowds.

In Ceuta, residents are defending their homes,

with some saying it is now time for the country to stand united against what

they believe is an incompetent government.

One man says they want peace. "We are defending the Spanishness of Ceuta and fighting.

So that we don't have people that invade us, so that we do not have fear."

Of the 72,000 people that crossed into the small Spanish territory neighbouring Morocco,

some reported 5,000 migrants are still in limbo, perching tents at El Trampolin beach,

with intension to seek asylum.

Some of them are calling out the Spanish government for selective enforcement

of its asylum policies, saying Moroccans have the right to apply for asylum just like those

from Egypt, Algeria and other Arab countries but they've now been singled out.

Difficult questions likewise linger over what caused the mass crossing that

the Spanish government says was fuelled by an online campaign

on social media.