EU Holds Emergency Meeting Over Ceuta Flood of Migrants

Sun Sep 06 2026 12:18:11 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

EU convenes emergency talks after 60,000 migrants surged into Spain's Ceuta, sparking political backlash and border crisis.

The EU has called an emergency meeting to tackle the surge of migrants into Spanish enclave Ceuta that saw 60,000 arrivals on 30 July. 22 member states demanded sharper border controls and criticised Spain’s handling, while Italy temporarily suspended Schengen cooperation. Spanish leaders said the situation is now under control and warned other EU members were attacking Spain with “fake news”. The crisis highlights the fragile border dynamics between Europe and Africa.

EU Holds Emergency Meeting Over Ceuta Flood of Migrants

• On Tuesday the EU will meet to discuss the migration crisis after 60,000 people crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on 30 July.

• 22 member states wrote a joint letter urging tighter external borders and calling out Spain’s “unlawful” response, while Italy paused Schengen cooperation with Spain.

• Spanish officials say nearly all migrants have now moved back and that no new arrivals are expected, but the death toll has risen to over 67.

• The letter warns that the image of free entry could create a perception that illegal migration into the EU is possible, undermining confidence in common policy.

• Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticised other European leaders, accusing them of spreading “fake news” and attacking Spain, though he stressed Ceuta is not part of Schengen.

• The situation comes as Morocco sees protests over economic issues and a history of migrants using the sea to reach European enclaves like Ceuta.

For further reading, see BBC’s Linked article.