At least 60,000 people have crossed into Ceuta, Spain’s tiny enclave in North Africa, and at least 57 people have died in the last 24 hours.
The influx of people completely overwhelmed local authorities at the border with Morocco, with Spain deploying the military on Friday to try and contain the situation.
Moroccan police used water cannons and fired warning shots into the air to prevent migrants from crossing into Ceuta, according to rights groups in Morocco.
Ceuta usually only has a population of around 85,000.
Spain’s interior minister said at least half of the people who crossed into Ceuta had already gone back to Morocco.
In response to the crisis, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni suspended Italy’s open-border Schengen agreement with Spain for maritime and air travel, reintroducing border controls.
She said Italy was also ready to support any European initiative that would assist Spain.
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