Around 49,000 migrants arrive in Ceuta in a day; Italy threatens to restrict Schengen with Spain
Around 49,000 migrants have arrived in the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta over the past day, overwhelming local services and prompting a humanitarian emergency declaration. Italy has responded by floating possible restrictions on Schengen rules with Spain.
Ceuta, the Spanish autonomous city on the African coast, has experienced a mass influx of migrants over the past 24 hours, with approximately 49,000 people arriving. According to ERR radio news, this is the largest such wave in the region since 2021.
Most of the arrivals are young men from Morocco, but there are also entire families with children. Ceuta’s population stands at around 84,000, leaving border services overwhelmed. Media reports say at least 18 people have died during the crisis.
The head of the autonomous city has said the region faces a humanitarian and social emergency. Long queues have appeared in local shops for groceries. Some migrants, according to media, have decided to return to Morocco on their own.
The situation has drawn a political response in Europe. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Rome is ready to take measures to protect borders and citizens, and this includes considering restrictions on Schengen rules with Spain. She said she had discussed the matter with the interior minister.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani backed the idea of closing the Schengen area with Spain. In contrast, Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said such a statement was unworthy of a foreign minister from a partner country. He said he had summoned Italy’s ambassador in Madrid to the foreign ministry.
