- About 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco to Ceuta, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis.
- The death toll from the crisis has risen to 67, according to officials.
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the EU countries' reaction, describing it as selfish and polarising, and called for an emergency meeting of EU interior ministers.
- Sánchez stated that the Spanish government had fully restored control over the border and prevented any unauthorised onward movement towards continental Europe in less than 48 hours.
- The Spanish government has deployed troops, police, drones, divers, and boats to bolster security in Ceuta and Melilla.
- Sánchez criticized some EU countries for their selfish and unsupportive attitude during the crisis, despite most expressing support for Spain.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has condemned the 'selfish' and 'polarising' reactions of some EU countries to the migrant crisis in Ceuta, where the death toll has risen to 67. He criticized nations like Italy and Finland for their lack of solidarity, stating, "The European Union cannot afford this kind of selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction".2347
The crisis began when approximately 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, prompting Spain to bolster its border security with troops and police. Sánchez noted that almost all migrants have returned to Morocco, emphasizing the swift response of his government, which restored border control in less than 48 hours.
Sánchez expressed concern over the actions of some European governments, which he accused of attacking Spain based on "prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest". He called for an emergency meeting of EU interior ministers, highlighting the need for European solidarity in addressing the crisis.
In response to the surge, Italy temporarily suspended the EU's Schengen agreement with Spain, while France increased border checks. Sánchez defended Spain's actions, stating, "We reversed the situation that arose on 30 July on our own, in collaboration with Morocco". He thanked Morocco for its assistance, asserting that it is a "reliable partner" in managing the crisis.
The Spanish government plans to install a containment barrier to deter further crossings, as the situation remains tense in the region.
“Spain's interior minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, stated that almost all migrants who reached Ceuta on July 30 have returned, highlighting the government's swift response. Meanwhile, Italy's foreign minister criticized Sánchez's previous migrant policies, claiming they incentivized human trafficking and contributed to the crisis.”
The Guardian
