Spain criticises EU response to Ceuta migrant surge amid Schengen suspension

Spain said the reaction of some EU countries to the arrival of around 60,000 migrants from Morocco in the enclave of Ceuta was "selfish, polarising and unlawful". Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reported that the death toll had risen to at least 67, but that most migrants had been returned and the situation was returning to normal.

Italy temporarily suspended the Schengen agreement with Spain after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the events as "shocking". Finland and Denmark supported Italy’s move, and the Czech prime minister called for a temporary suspension of Spain’s Schengen membership. In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed "serious concerns" about the stance of certain European governments and urged an urgent meeting of EU interior ministers to reaffirm shared responsibility for external border security.

An open letter signed by 22 EU states requested emergency talks to coordinate the use of EU instruments and support Spain in maintaining effective border control. The letter noted that Spain and Morocco were cooperating to ensure the swift return of migrants.

Spain’s interior minister said an inflatable maritime barrier was being installed to prevent further illegal entries and that troops, police, drones and naval assets had been deployed to Ceuta and the nearby enclave of Melilla.

Other EU leaders responded with various measures: France tightened checks on its border with Spain, Portugal considered reinforcing its border controls, and Germany’s chancellor supported Spain’s effort to keep illegal migrants off the continent. The European Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen called the images from Ceuta "unacceptable" and emphasized the need for adherence to EU rules.

The incident has sparked diplomatic tensions, with Spain summoning the Italian ambassador and demanding European solidarity rather than partisan criticism.