Pedro Sánchez demands EU crisis talks as 67 migrants die in Ceuta, Italy suspends Schengen for Spain

Mass arrivals and mounting death toll

In the final days of July, between 50,000 and 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, with estimates varying between the regional government figure of around 60,000 and the central government tally of nearly 50,000. The exact number of arrivals was still being assessed on Saturday. Most people made the crossing by swimming or clinging to inner tubes and car tyres along the coast from the Moroccan town of Fnideq; others scaled the border fences. By Saturday morning the death toll had reached 67 after rescue workers recovered ten more bodies since Friday afternoon. Earlier on Friday, Spanish authorities had confirmed 57 fatalities. The state broadcaster RTVE reported that many of the victims drowned while attempting the sea route.

Rapid return to Morocco

Almost all of those who entered Ceuta irregularly have already returned to Morocco, according to Spanish foreign minister José Manuel Albares. The Spanish daily El País reported that, faced with no prospects of onward travel to the European mainland and a lack of shelter and supplies, the migrants became disillusioned and opted to return voluntarily. EU migration commissioner Magnus Brunner confirmed that not a single person had crossed onto the EU mainland. By Saturday morning, Spanish interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska declared the situation calm.

Within less than 48 hours, the situation in Ceuta has fundamentally changed, and normality is returning.

Workers had begun installing a sea barrier off the beach near the border crossing, a measure announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during his visit on Friday.

Schengen suspended by Italy

While the arrivals ebbed, the political fallout escalated. Italy, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, announced a one-month suspension of Schengen for non-EU citizens arriving from Spain by air or sea. Several other member states also called for Spain’s temporary exclusion from the border-free zone. At the Melilla border, RTVE reported clashes between migrants and security forces, with stone-throwing met by tear gas. Spanish soldiers meanwhile blocked access from the sea to the beach in Ceuta, and Prime Minister Sánchez pushed back against the criticism of Spain’s migration policy.

Solidarity and compassion are voluntary. Respect for the European treaties, however, is not.

Sánchez demands emergency EU meeting

On Saturday, Prime Minister Sánchez sent a strongly worded letter to European Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He expressed deep concern about the attitude of some member states, accusing them of acting out of prejudice, misinformation, ignorance or political interests. Without naming them directly, he denounced the response as selfish, divisive and illegal and called for an immediate video conference of EU interior ministers. Sánchez stressed that Spain had shown solidarity in past crises and argued that the protection of the EU’s external borders must be a shared responsibility.

EU crisis talks and next steps

In response, the Irish presidency of the EU announced that experts from member states would hold a crisis meeting on Saturday to discuss developments, the number of returnees, support for Spain and diplomatic efforts with Morocco. On Monday, EU ambassadors are due to meet to assess the situation and facilitate further coordination. The interior ministers’ video conference requested by Sánchez had not yet been scheduled by Saturday afternoon. The European Commission reiterated that not a single person had reached the EU mainland, but the events have placed the bloc’s solidarity mechanisms under severe stress, exposing the fault lines between southern frontline states and other members over burden-sharing.