The Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa has faced a massive influx of migrants: according to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, approximately 49 thousand people crossed the territory by sea and land in the past 24 hours. Ceuta itself has a population of approximately 84 thousand.

According to The Telegraph, Moroccan migrants took advantage of a legal loophole linked to a recent ruling by Spain's Supreme Court. According to this decision, migrants intercepted at sea attempting to reach Ceuta and neighboring Melilla cannot be immediately returned. A simplified return procedure is only available for those crossing the land border. The land border is protected by a 10-meter fence with reinforced security.

At least 18 people died while crossing the border. Spanish authorities have deployed troops to the region to ensure security, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez plans to visit the enclave.

The situation provoked a sharp reaction in Europe. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the situation a threat to European security and called for Spain's participation in the Schengen Area to be suspended, noting Italy's readiness to intervene to protect its borders. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also called for the closure of the Schengen Area for Spain.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albarez accused the Italian side of "partisan demagoguery" and said he would summon the Italian ambassador for an explanation, emphasizing that the incident was related to a court decision and not government policy.

Criticism of Madrid's immigration policy was also expressed by Jordan Bardella, head of France's National Rally, and Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain's Vox party, who called it an "invasion." Earlier in April, Sánchez granted residence permits to 500 thousand migrants as part of a regularization program.

Ceuta and Melilla remain the only EU and Schengen territories with a land border with Africa.