Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for an urgent EU meeting after a mass crossing of more than 50,000 migrants into the enclave of Ceuta, criticising some member states for a response he described as 'selfish, polarising and unlawful'. The EU will hold an extraordinary meeting of interior ministers on Tuesday.
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Key facts
- More than 50,000 people crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday and Friday.
- At least 67 people died in the attempt, some by drowning and others crushed at a breakwater barrier.
- Pedro Sánchez accused some EU countries, particularly Italy, of 'weaponising' the events.
- An emergency officials' meeting was held Saturday, described as 'sobering'.
- EU interior ministers will hold an urgent meeting on Tuesday.
Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has called for an urgent meeting of EU interior ministers following what he described as some member states’ “selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction” to a mass border crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in north Africa, according to the Guardian.
More than 50,000 people crossed into the enclave from Morocco on Thursday and Friday, the Guardian reported. At least 67 people died in the attempt. Some drowned, while others were crushed as they tried to cross a breakwater barrier.
Sánchez accused some EU countries, particularly Italy, of weaponising Friday’s events instead of showing “solidarity and empathy”, the Guardian reported. His criticism pointed to a breakdown of political unity within the bloc over the sudden arrival of large numbers of irregular migrants.
Officials representing EU member states and experts from the Frontex border agency met at an emergency meeting on Saturday. The gathering was described as “sobering”, according to the Guardian.
At that meeting, the decision was taken to hold an urgent meeting of EU interior ministers on Tuesday. However, the Guardian reported that divisions remained within the bloc over how to respond to the mass crossing into Spanish territory.
The situation underscores the tensions that can emerge among EU members when a single country faces a sudden migration event, with disagreement over whether the response should emphasise shared responsibility or tougher border measures.
Why it matters
The Ceuta crossing and the resulting rift among EU governments highlight persistent divisions over how the bloc handles irregular migration and shares responsibility. With at least 67 deaths reported, the outcome of Tuesday's ministerial meeting could shape both the humanitarian response and the future of EU cooperation on border issues.
Frequently asked questions
How many people crossed into Ceuta and how many died?
According to the Guardian, more than 50,000 people crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday and Friday, and at least 67 people died in the attempt, some by drowning and others crushed at a breakwater barrier.
Why did Pedro Sánchez call for an EU meeting?
Sánchez called for the meeting after criticising some member states, particularly Italy, for what he called a 'selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction' and for 'weaponising' the events rather than showing solidarity and empathy, the Guardian reported.
When will the EU meeting take place?
The Guardian reported that EU interior ministers will hold an urgent meeting on Tuesday, a decision taken by officials and Frontex experts at an emergency meeting held on Saturday.
Timeline
- EU to hold urgent meeting of interior ministers on Tuesday over Ceuta crisis
The Guardian World: Divisions remain in the bloc over mass crossing of migrants into Spanish territory in north Africa The EU is to hold an urgent meeting of interior ministers on Tuesday amid continued divisions in the bloc over the arrival of more than 50,000 migrants in the Spanish territory of C
- EU to hold urgent meeting after Spanish PM calls Ceuta crisis response ‘selfish’
The Guardian World: Pedro Sánchez hits out at ‘polarising and unlawful reaction’ over mass crossing into Spanish enclave in north Africa The EU will hold an extraordinary meeting of interior ministers after a breakdown of political unity over the arrival of more than 50,000 irregular migrants in the
- Spanish PM calls for urgent EU meeting after ‘selfish’ responses to Ceuta crisis
The Guardian World: Pedro Sánchez hits out at ‘polarising and unlawful reaction’ over mass crossing into Spanish enclave in north Africa Europe live – latest updates Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has called for an urgent meeting of EU interior ministers after what he called some member stat