Migrant Crisis in Ceuta Leaves 18 Dead

Eighteen people died attempting to swim from Morocco into the Spanish North African territory of Ceuta, prompting Spain to deploy troops and close the Beni Enzar border crossing. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is visiting the region today to address the uncontrolled influx of thousands of migrants. The crisis has also ignited a diplomatic dispute with Italy after Italian Prime Minister Antonio Tajani called for Spain’s expulsion from the Schengen Area. Tajani criticized Madrid’s migration policies, stating that “irregular and uncontrolled migration poses a threat to national security.” In response, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares summoned the Italian ambassador, demanding “European solidarity, not partisan demagoguery.”