Key facts
- At least 57 people died during a mass migration event into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
- Tens of thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta over 24 hours, overwhelming the territory.
- Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized EU partners for a lack of solidarity and accused them of undermining bloc security.
- EU leaders from 22 member states requested an urgent meeting to discuss the crisis and coordinated action.
- Spain's Foreign Minister summoned Italy's ambassador after Italy called for Spain's suspension from the Schengen zone.
- A Spanish minister suggested Israel was involved in the migrant crisis.
The European Union is set to hold emergency talks following a massive migrant influx into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, which resulted in at least 57 deaths. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the event as a violation of Spain's territorial integrity and criticized EU partners for a lack of solidarity and what he termed "prejudice, misinformation and attacks."
Approximately 50,000 to 60,000 migrants crossed into the small territory of 85,000 people within 24 hours, overwhelming local resources. Sánchez attributed the surge to "human trafficking mafias" exploiting a recent court ruling that prevented the summary return of those intercepted at sea. He announced plans for a temporary reception center and a visible border barrier of buoys.
The crisis has triggered a political dispute within the EU, with 22 member states, including Italy and Denmark, criticizing Spain's migration policies and requesting coordinated action for stronger external borders. Italy's government called for Spain's suspension from the Schengen free-movement zone, a move Spain's foreign minister deemed "unbecoming" and "partisan demagoguery." Italy subsequently announced a suspension of its Schengen arrangements with Spain.
Adding to the controversy, Spanish minister Oscar Puente suggested Israel's involvement in the migrant crisis, a claim echoed by other Spanish politicians. Morocco, however, insisted its cooperation with Spain remained "exemplary" and blamed "criminal organisations" for the surge, with its ambassador stating Rabat prioritized legal migration.
The situation dwarfs a previous mass border crossing in May 2021, when around 10,000 people entered Ceuta after Morocco loosened border controls amid diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco over Western Sahara. The current events have left thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, sleeping in parks and on pavements in Ceuta, with many deaths attributed to drowning and crushes at the Tarajal beach breakwater.