A mass crossing stuns the enclave
Tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the North African coast, in a mass movement that overwhelmed local authorities. The surge came after months of rising tension over migration routes into Europe. Local officials said the numbers arriving in a single day were unlike anything the enclave had seen before. Streets filled with people, and emergency services struggled to keep order. Many of the migrants were young men, but families with children were also among the crowds. Shelters and reception centers ran out of space within hours.
Spain's hard line
Spain responded by pushing thousands of migrants back across the border to Morocco. The move drew sharp criticism from human rights groups, who said it denied people the right to seek asylum. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez defended the actions and accused some EU countries of reacting in ways he called selfish and illegal. He sent a letter to Brussels complaining about the responses of other member states. At the same time, Italy said it would temporarily suspend the Schengen open-border arrangement with Spain. The Schengen system normally allows passport-free travel across much of Europe, and suspending it is a rare and serious step.
Death and division
At least 34 people died trying to reach Spain during the crisis, according to officials and rescue groups. Boats carrying migrants sank in rough seas off the coast. The deaths added a grim toll to a political fight that has divided the European Union. Some leaders called for tougher border controls and faster deportations. Others demanded legal pathways for migration and more aid to source countries. The crisis has revived an old argument: whether Europe should build walls or open doors. With no common policy in sight, the enclave of Ceuta has become the symbol of a continent struggling to agree on migration.