On Saturday, August 1st, 2026, France and Italy strengthened their border security measures in response to a significant influx of migrants into Spain’s Ceuta enclave in North Africa. About 60,000 people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco, according to the enclave’s regional president, Juan Jesus Vivas. By Friday evening, officials reported that more than 48,000 migrants had returned.

Many migrants entered Ceuta by swimming around a small border barrier extending into the Mediterranean Sea.

In reaction, France announced it would tighten checks on its border with Spain and increase its police presence fivefold to 334 officers and gendarmes by Saturday. Meanwhile, Italy suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain, which normally allows visa-free movement across borders. Italian officials stated that this suspension would take effect on Saturday and last for one month.

This development marks one of the largest migrant crises faced by the European Union in recent years.

Sources