Spain erects floating barrier in Ceuta after deadly border rush, EU calls for emergency meeting

Spain began installing a 500-meter floating barrier along the border of its North African enclave Ceuta on Saturday, following an unprecedented surge of migrant crossings from Morocco that claimed at least 67 lives. The mass influx, which began on Thursday, saw an estimated 50,000 people arrive in Ceuta by land and sea, overwhelming Spanish authorities.

Officials reported that over 48,000 of these migrants were returned to Morocco within 48 hours. The floating barrier, designed to stand between 30 to 70 centimeters above the water and extend up to 1 meter below, aims to prevent further irregular entries. Spanish soldiers and Civil Guard officers were seen patrolling the Tarajal Beach area, a primary entry point for migrants.

The crisis has prompted a strong reaction within the European Union, with 22 member states calling for an emergency meeting of interior ministers. They urged the bloc to support Madrid in regaining control of its border with Morocco. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also requested the urgent meeting but criticized some EU governments for advocating Spain's exclusion from the passport-free Schengen area.

Italy's government had previously announced the suspension of Schengen arrangements with Spain for one month. Sanchez condemned such reactions as "selfish, polarizing and unlawful," emphasizing that the EU cannot afford such divisions in the current international climate. The crossings are seen as a challenge to the EU's external borders and risk encouraging further illegal migration.

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In the current international context, the EU cannot afford this kind of selfish, polarizing and unlawful reaction.