Deaths have been reported after an estimated 49,000 people crossed into Spain's African enclave of Ceuta, prompting a planned visit by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and calls from Italy for Spain to be suspended from the Schengen area.
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Key facts
- An estimated 49,000 people have crossed into Spain's African enclave of Ceuta.
- Deaths have been reported amid the crossings.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit the territory, arriving just before midday local time (11am UK).
- Local police in Ceuta are fencing off the centre of the enclave, according to public broadcaster RTVE.
- Italy is demanding Spain be suspended from the Schengen area, while France is stepping up border controls with Spain.
Deaths have been reported after an estimated 49,000 people crossed into Spain’s African enclave of Ceuta, according to the Guardian’s live coverage of the developing situation.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit the territory in the coming hours. According to public broadcaster RTVE, Sánchez is set to arrive just before midday local time, which is 11am UK time.
Local police in Ceuta are fencing off the centre of the enclave ahead of the prime minister’s visit, RTVE reported.
The scale of the crossings has drawn a response from other European governments. Italy is demanding that Spain be suspended from the Schengen area amid concerns over what has been described as a fresh migration crisis.
France, meanwhile, is set to step up border controls with Spain, according to the Guardian’s reporting on the unfolding events.
The situation remains fluid, with the reported death toll and the exact number of crossings still being assessed as authorities respond on the ground.
Why it matters
A large-scale crossing into Ceuta places renewed strain on Europe's shared border and asylum systems, and the reported deaths underline the human cost of such movements. Calls from Italy to suspend Spain from Schengen and France's tightening of border controls signal the potential for wider disruption to free movement across the bloc.
Frequently asked questions
How many people have crossed into Ceuta?
An estimated 49,000 people have crossed into Spain's African enclave of Ceuta, according to the Guardian's coverage.
What is Spain's government doing in response?
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit the territory, arriving just before midday local time (11am UK), and local police are fencing off the centre of the enclave, according to RTVE.
How are other European countries responding?
Italy is demanding that Spain be suspended from the Schengen area, and France is set to step up border controls with Spain.
Timeline
- France to step up border controls with Spain as estimated 49,000 migrants cross into Ceuta – Europe live
The Guardian World: PM Pedro Sánchez expected to visit territory today as Italy demands Spain be suspended from the Schengen area amid concerns over fresh migration crisis Local police in Ceuta are fencing off the centre of the enclave as Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit in
- Deaths reported as an estimated 49,000 people cross into Spain’s African enclave of Ceuta – Europe live
The Guardian World: PM Pedro Sánchez expected to visit territory today as Italy demands Spain be suspended from the Schengen area amid concerns over fresh migration crisis Local police in Ceuta are fencing off the centre of the enclave as Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit in