Spain’s prime minister has criticised what he called a selfish European reaction after a mass influx from Morocco left 67 people dead and triggered emergency border measures

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has condemned what he described as a “selfish” and divisive response from some European Union member states after a mass influx of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta left at least 67 people dead.

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The Ceuta migrant deaths occurred as tens of thousands of people attempted to cross the border by land and sea on Thursday, overwhelming border guards and triggering a major security and humanitarian response in the Spanish territory on Africa’s northern coast.

Spanish authorities said an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people attempted to make the crossing, with most of those who entered reportedly returning to Morocco by Friday evening.

Authorities in Ceuta said many of those who died had drowned as large crowds attempted to reach the territory through the sea or cross border barriers.

The tragedy has since escalated into a wider European political dispute, with Sánchez criticising several EU governments for their response to the crisis.

In a letter widely quoted by European media, the Spanish prime minister condemned what he called the “selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction” from other EU countries.

His comments came after Italy temporarily introduced additional border controls on travel from Spain, while France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nunez ordered increased checks along the countries’ shared border.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also called for Spain’s membership of the Schengen agreement to be suspended, further intensifying the political fallout from the mass crossings.

Sánchez rejected the response, arguing that the European Union could not afford to allow the crisis to fuel division among member states.

“Such an attitude” was, he said, driven by “prejudice, fake news, ignorance or political interest”.

“In the current international context, the European Union cannot afford this kind of selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction,” Sánchez said.

The crisis prompted Ireland, which currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency, to announce an emergency meeting of national ministers to discuss the situation.

Irish Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Minister Jim O’Callaghan said on Saturday that he remained “in close contact with all EU Member States” and was continuing to monitor developments.

The mass crossing followed a recent ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court concerning the treatment of migrants arriving by sea. The court ruled that authorities could not summarily deport migrants without following due process.

However, migration experts have stressed that the ruling was narrowly focused and did not grant migrants an automatic right to enter mainland Spain or move freely throughout the Schengen area.

Some experts have argued that the judgment was misunderstood by migrants and exploited by people traffickers, contributing to the sudden surge in attempted crossings.

Spanish officials have said they intend to return those who entered irregularly as quickly as legally possible.

By Friday, hundreds of migrants were reportedly seen returning to Morocco through official border posts and gaps in the border fence. Some told Reuters that they had been unable to find adequate food or shelter after reaching Ceuta.

The situation prompted Spanish authorities to take additional measures to secure the territory’s coastline.

On Saturday, Spain’s Interior Ministry said officials had begun installing a floating barrier near the Tarajal breakwater, a key entry point into Ceuta, as part of measures intended to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Third-country nationals in Ceuta do not have unrestricted freedom of movement to mainland Spain or other parts of the Schengen area. Identity and visa checks are required for onward travel.

Sánchez had earlier described the mass crossings as a “violation of Spain’s territorial integrity” and blamed misinformation circulating online, as well as claims allegedly spread by people traffickers following the Supreme Court ruling.

The role of social media in encouraging the crossings has emerged as another significant feature of the crisis.

Reuters spoke to 16-year-old Moroccan Ayoub El Abyad, who said he and his cousin decided to undertake a 12-hour journey towards Ceuta after watching Instagram videos showing other migrants making the crossing.

“Migration is about improving our lives. We agreed we would try the idea of crossing and trust in God,” El Abyad told the news agency from the Moroccan side of the border.

The account illustrates how social media content, combined with rumours and misinformation about Spanish immigration rules, may have helped create the perception among some young Moroccans that an unusual opportunity to enter Ceuta had opened.

The humanitarian consequences, however, have been devastating.

With at least 67 people reported dead, the episode has become one of the most serious migration tragedies involving Ceuta in recent years and has placed fresh pressure on Spain and its European partners to address the underlying causes of irregular migration while maintaining coordinated border policies.

For Sánchez, the immediate challenge extends beyond managing the border. His criticism of fellow EU leaders has exposed tensions within the bloc over how member states should respond when sudden migration movements place pressure on external borders.

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As European officials prepare for further discussions, the focus is likely to remain on balancing border security, legal obligations and humanitarian protection, while authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the deaths and the unprecedented influx from Morocco.