At least 18 people died while attempting to swim from Morocco to Spanish territory in Ceuta, according to El País, while more than 49,000 migrants crossed the border within 24 hours, the Interior Ministry announced.
The Spanish government launched a regularisation programme for 500,000 migrants in the spring, while Spain’s Supreme Court ruled that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be summarily returned.
Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish territories on the African coast, are the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. As a result, they periodically come under pressure from increases in attempted crossings.
In response to the developments in Ceuta, the Italian prime minister raised the possibility of suspending freedom of movement with Spain.
Following the outbreak of this new crisis, Pedro Sánchez’s government immediately activated an emergency plan. Around 200 additional police officers and 60 soldiers were deployed to Ceuta to reinforce the Guardia Civil, while the Spanish prime minister and interior minister travelled to the city to oversee the operations.
At the same time, Madrid is in constant contact with Rabat in an effort to prevent further arrivals and return to Morocco those who are not entitled to international protection.
In response to the developments in Ceuta, the Italian prime minister raised the possibility of suspending freedom of movement with Spain, apparently linking the mass arrival of migrants to the Spanish government’s regularisation plan. Italy’s foreign minister also called for the closure of the Schengen Area.
His Spanish counterpart described Rome’s message as “unbecoming of an allied and friendly country”, accusing Giorgia Meloni’s government of “party-political demagoguery”.
Sources: Reuters, Euronews
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