Spain: 50,000 migrants entered Ceuta irregularly

Madrid, July 31 (KUNA) -- Spanish state television reported on Friday that nearly 50,000 migrants entered the Spanish territory of Ceuta irregularly over the past days and hours, marking the city’s largest migration crisis since 2021. Citing official sources, the broadcaster added that 19 people died in Ceuta’s waters in recent hours while attempting to reach the city, noting that groups of migrants continue to arrive on its shores. It stated that the Spanish government had deployed army units to the city to support efforts by approximately 400 officers from the National Police and the Civil Guard, as pressure on border areas persists. The state television also reported that, in response, French authorities had strengthened their security presence along their border with Spain. Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani warned yesterday of suspending the Schengen Agreement with Spain in light of the migration crisis, calling it a “threat to national security.” In response, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares summoned the Italian ambassador to Spain to protest those “inappropriate” remarks. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, accompanied by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, is scheduled to travel to Ceuta today to assess the crisis developments and evaluate its repercussions. This is the most severe migration crisis to hit Ceuta since May 2021, when 5,000 migrants crossed into the city within a few hours, prompting Madrid and Rabat at the time to enhance border security coordination. (End) H.N.D./T.M.A.