France and Italy bolstered border controls on Saturday after about 60,000 people crossed into Spain's enclave in North Africa, sparking one of the largest migrant crises for the European Union in recent years. The migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco, the enclave's regional president Juan Jesus Vivas told reporters, but by Friday evening officials said more than 48,000 had returned. To cross into Ceuta, many swam around a small border barrier that juts out into the Mediterranean. At least 34 people died in the attempt.
Ceuta: Thousands of migrants cross the Spanish border © Nalini Leptit-Chella, Sabrina Blanchard, AFP
The sudden influx sparked an international crisis. France tightened checks on its border with Spain and said it would increase its police presence there fivefold to 334 officers and gendarmes by Saturday. Italy announced it had suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain allowing for visa-free movement between borders. Italian officials said the suspension would take effect on Saturday and last for one month. Several European countries suggested Spain's membership in the Schengen free movement zone should be suspended, though Spain's foreign minister said integrity of the zone was "guaranteed". Across the Atlantic, US President Donald Trump led far-right efforts to seize on the crossing to advance hardline immigration policies. 'Trafficking mafias' Madrid rushed troops, more police, drones, divers and boats to the outpost that it has run for centuries as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his interior minister visited on Friday.
