22 EU countries demanded emergency meeting due to mass border crossing in Ceuta

In a joint letter, they said that the mass uncontrolled crossing of the EU’s external border requires a common response. According to the signatories of the document, the absence of strict measures could lead to new attempts at illegal entry and affect all EU countries.

The letter was signed by Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, Croatia, Czech Republic, Sweden and Estonia.

Italy has temporarily restored border checks for passengers arriving from Spain. At Fiumicino airport, flights from Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga were checked. The Italian authorities have clarified that the checks will be random and will primarily affect citizens of non-EU countries. The free movement of EU citizens does not formally stop.

Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized the reaction of European countries and said that protecting the external borders of the EU is the common responsibility of all member states.

According to the Spanish Ministry of Internal Affairs, about 60 thousand people crossed the Ceuta border. More than 48 thousand were returned to Morocco. Spanish authorities say that none of those who crossed the border were able to get from Ceuta to the mainland.

At least 67 people died trying to cross the border.