Spain rejected offers of operational and legal assistance from the European Union during a mass migrant surge into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta while privately asking Brussels for €62.1 million in emergency funding, according to an internal EU document seen by TVP World.On July 30 and 31, around 70,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, whose population is about 83,000. An estimated 100 people died during the crossing, while hundreds more required medical treatment. The vast majority of those who entered have since been returned to Morocco.Publicly, European officials and the Spanish government sought to present a united front. But behind the scenes, Madrid was turning down EU assistance while seeking millions of euros from Brussels to help deal with the crisis.Cheque pleaseThe document reveals that despite opting to not accept operational help from Brussels, the Spanish government has privately asked for €62.1 million in emergency EU cash to help pay for its response to the crisis. EU officials told TVP World that no funds have been sent to Spain yet as a final sum has not been agreed. Despite the informal request, Spain has yet to submit formal paperwork for the funds and the Commission still needs to complete an assessment of Madrid’s demands. As part of this, a technical mission from the Commission’s Directorate General for Migration travelled to Ceuta on August 12 and 13 to "get a first-hand assessment of the situation on the ground that could inform additional funding" according to the briefing document.EU officials expect Madrid’s final request to exceed the initial €62.1 million.Boots (n)on the ground