Some 25,000 migrants return to Morocco after thousands cross border into Spain

Spain said on Friday that it had reversed a huge rush of migrants into a Spanish enclave in North Africa, with thousands of people who had crossed the border by land and sea already heading back voluntarily.

Moroccan forces beat back crowds with batons and tear gas at the gates to Ceuta, trying to prevent more from storming across into the tiny Spanish territory ​that juts on a spit ‌of sandy land into the Mediterranean from Morocco.

Spain’s Interior Ministry said around 60,000 people had crossed the border since Thursday morning, and estimated that around 25,000 had already turned ⁠and gone back.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on social media, called the scenes at Ceuta “unacceptable”, adding: “We cannot allow anyone to come to our (European) Union without abiding by our rules.”

Italy on Thursday called for Spain to be suspended from Europe’s open-borders Schengen zone, prompting Spain to summon Italy’s ambassador and accuse Rome of using the crisis for political gain.

Finland and Denmark on Friday backed Italy’s call, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz demanded that Morocco “take back illegal migrants immediately”.

Denmark’s prime minister also said the EU should consider suspending Spain from the Schengen free movement area after thousands of migrants poured into its north African enclave of Ceuta.

“It goes without saying that the EU must immediately take all necessary measures and consider all options, including a suspension of Schengen cooperation. Uncontrolled immigration poses a threat to Europe and to Denmark,” Mette Frederiksen said in a statement sent to AFP.

France and Britain said they stood ready to help Spain with the sudden surge – but France also said it was tightening its border checks with Spain.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)