- Over a few days, an estimated 60,000 migrants entered Spain's North African territory of Ceuta, marking the territory's largest ever mass migration, with at least 72 people reported dead during the attempts.
- In response to the migrant surge, the European Union (EU) called an emergency meeting, with Ireland convening a video conference of interior ministers for Tuesday.
- The emergency meeting was prompted by a joint letter from 22 of the EU’s 27 member states calling for coordinated action and the strengthening of external borders to prevent uncontrolled mass crossings.
Ceuta's population is just 84,000, yet between Wednesday and Friday, an estimated 60,000 migrants entered the territory, according to Ceuta's top official Juan Jesus Vivas. The Spanish Ministry of Interior reported a slightly lower figure of 50,000.12
The European Union convened an emergency meeting following this unprecedented influx, with 22 of the EU's 27 member states calling for coordinated action to strengthen external borders. Ireland, holding the rotating EU presidency, organized a video conference of interior ministers to address the crisis.34
In response to the surge, Italy suspended its Schengen open-border policy with Spain, while France announced a five-fold increase in police presence at its border. Portugal also pledged to enhance controls at its southern borders.
The situation has raised questions about the motivations behind the mass migration. Some experts suggest that a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling on July 8, which prohibits the summary return of migrants intercepted at sea, may have influenced the timing. However, others argue that the Spanish government's relatively open migration policy could have played a significant role.
Ignacio Cembrero, a Spanish journalist specializing in migration, noted that Moroccan security forces appeared to have allowed migrants to pass through, suggesting a possible orchestration of the incident by Morocco to pressure Spain into negotiations. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights has called for an independent inquiry into the causes of the influx.
“Ceuta's population is just 84,000, but officials estimate 60,000 migrants entered the territory from Wednesday to Friday, with 72 deaths reported. Italy suspended its Schengen open-border policy with Spain, while 22 of the EU's 27 member states issued a joint letter calling for stronger external borders.”
