- Spain accused EU leaders of a ‘selfish’ response to the Ceuta migrant crisis as deaths rose.
- Around 60,000 people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday, with more than 60 dead after a stampede.
- Spain said more than 48,000 migrants returned to Morocco within 48 hours, though regional president Juan Jesus Vivas said the city has not returned to normal.
- The EU called an emergency meeting of national ministers on Tuesday after separate calls from Spain and 22 other members.
- Denmark urged the EU to consider suspending Schengen cooperation, while France tightened checks on its border with Spain.
- In June, Spain's supreme court ruled that migrants stopped at sea while trying to reach Ceuta or Melilla could not be summarily returned to Morocco without due process.
- During a visit to Ceuta, Pedro Sanchez called the incident a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity and blamed trafficking mafias for exploiting a Supreme Court ruling.
- Mr Sanchez’s government said “solidarity and empathy are optional” but respect for treaties is not, and called the attitude of some governments contrary to European and humanitarian law.
- Italy’s Giorgia Meloni called footage of the crisis “shocking” and said 22 of 27 EU members signed a letter calling for tougher action.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has condemned the European Union's response to the ongoing migrant crisis at Ceuta, labeling it 'selfish' and 'polarising.' The crisis has seen more than 60 fatalities as approximately 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco, prompting urgent calls for action.2789
Sanchez expressed his concerns in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, stating, “In the current international context, the European Union cannot afford this kind of selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction.” He emphasized the need for solidarity among EU nations, especially as 22 of 27 EU members have signed a letter advocating for tougher immigration measures.1213
In response to the crisis, the EU has scheduled an emergency meeting of national ministers to discuss the situation. Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the migrant footage as 'shocking' and called for urgent action against illegal immigration. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen suggested considering a suspension of Schengen cooperation as a potential measure.
The crisis has also led to increased border checks by France and the installation of a 500-metre floating barrier to deter further crossings. Sanchez has labeled the incident a “violation of Spain’s territorial integrity,” highlighting the role of trafficking mafias in exacerbating the situation. The region's president, Juan Jesus Vivas, noted that while the return of migrants to Morocco has begun, “the process must be completed.”356
“More than 60,000 crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on Thursday, prompting police to begin installing a 500-metre floating barrier after dozens drowned or died in a stampede. Spain says more than 48,000 returned to Morocco within 48 hours, while EU ministers meet Tuesday after Italy’s Giorgia Meloni called the footage ‘shocking’.”
The Independent
