Italy announced Friday it is temporarily suspending the Schengen border-free arrangements with Spain for one month following a large influx of migrants into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta. The Italian Interior Ministry's measure requires travelers between the two countries by air or sea to present passports.
Reports indicate tens of thousands of people crossed from neighboring Morocco into Ceuta in a short period, with Spanish and local officials citing figures ranging from approximately 49,000 to as high as 60,000 arrivals. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and senior coalition figures had signaled readiness for exceptional measures, citing concerns over European border security. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani described the suspension as necessary to protect Italian citizens and European borders.
Spain criticized the step, saying it violated EU treaties, and summoned Italy's ambassador over related comments. Spanish authorities deployed additional military and police forces to Ceuta after the surge, which included land and sea crossings. Reports indicated dozens of deaths during the attempts, with figures cited between 34 and 57. Spanish officials said some migrants were beginning to return to Morocco and coordinated with Moroccan authorities to stem further crossings.
The episode has heightened tensions within the European Union over migration management and the integrity of the Schengen zone. France also moved to increase checks at its border with Spain. Local leaders described the scale of arrivals as an emergency. Further details on the duration of Italy's controls and any reciprocal Spanish measures were not immediately available.