Spain's prime minister visits Ceuta amid mass migrant influx from Morocco
Around 60,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in one day, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to travel there and announce measures to restore security and process expulsions.
An estimated 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Thursday, overwhelming border guards and resulting in at least 34 deaths, many by drowning, according to local authorities. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez arrived in Ceuta on Friday, describing the event as a violation of Spain's territorial integrity and pledging to use all state resources to ensure security in the enclave.
"What happened yesterday deserves our full reproach, our full condemnation," Sánchez said in a speech after his arrival. Spanish officials said they would seek to expel those who entered illegally as quickly as possible, despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that bars the immediate return of sea-arriving migrants to Morocco. Juan Jesús Vivas, president of Ceuta's autonomous government, confirmed the 60,000-person figure and the death toll. The incident has sparked political reactions across Europe. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for the possible suspension of Spain's participation in the Schengen area, stating that Italy is prepared to intervene with “extraordinary tools” to protect borders. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced additional checks at the Spanish border in response to the crisis.