France and Italy have strengthened border controls following a sudden influx of approximately 60,000 migrants into Spain’s enclave of Ceuta in North Africa, marking one of the largest migrant crises in recent European Union history.

The migrants entered Ceuta from neighboring Morocco over a few days, with the enclave's regional president, Juan Jesus Vivas, reporting that by Friday evening more than 48,000 had returned. Spain’s interior minister confirmed that almost all migrants had left by Saturday, August 1st, 2026. At least 67 people lost their lives during the attempt to cross.

To manage future incidents, Spain announced plans to install a 500-metre-long containment barrier along the sea border. Meanwhile, France has increased its police presence on the border with Spain fivefold, deploying 334 officers and gendarmes.

In response to the crisis, Italy suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain, temporarily halting visa-free movement between the two countries for one month starting Saturday. Several European countries have suggested suspending Spain’s membership in the Schengen free movement zone, though Spain’s foreign minister assured that the zone’s integrity remains "guaranteed." Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro stated he was considering reinforcing border checks but did not see a need to suspend Spain from Schengen.

Under the watch of Spanish soldiers and police, remaining migrants were observed crossing back into Morocco. Some migrants expressed dire conditions; one, named Soufian, said, "Even though there's no food, nothing at all, I'll endure anything to see my mother," while working long hours for minimal pay.

This migrant surge recalls a similar event in 2021 when over 10,000 migrants entered Ceuta amid diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco.

Meanwhile, a majority of EU countries have called for emergency talks in an open letter to the bloc’s interior ministers to address the situation.

Sources