Spain on Thursday blasted Italy's "demagoguery" for calling for its exit from the Schengen zone after migrants poured into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta from neighboring Morocco.
It also summoned Italy's ambassador to Madrid to lodge a protest.
Spain said it was deploying its military to restore order at its border with Morocco after thousands of migrants streamed into Ceuta, mainly by swimming, with at least nine dying in the attempt.
State television TVE reported that 2,000 to 3,000 people had crossed.
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said earlier Thursday he was "in favor of closing the Schengen area with Spain," claiming "Irregular and uncontrolled immigration poses a danger to national security."
