Spanish police officers monitor travelers arriving from Italy at Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain on Saturday, after the implementation of border controls on flights and ships from Italy until Sept 7 amid a dispute over irregular migration. REUTERS
MADRID — Spain on Saturday started border checks on travelers arriving from Italy, responding to similar measures Rome imposed following a massive migrant rush into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta.
Italians arriving at Barcelona airport were subject to random police checks after the controls were put into effect overnight, according to Spain's state news agency EFE.
Spain's Interior Ministry said the new checks on travelers from Italy would apply until Sept 7.
Spain announced Friday it would proceed with the heightened controls, citing what it said was "persistent irregular migration pressure" facing Italy.
