The European Union has praised Spain's "swift response" to a migrant crisis in its North African territory of Ceuta, after a meeting of the bloc's interior ministers on Tuesday sought to ease tensions following criticism from several member states. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had called the situation "shocking" and Italy suspended Schengen free-movement arrangements with Spain in protest, with Finland, Denmark and the Czech Republic among those backing tougher action, prompting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to accuse critics of acting out of "prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest".

Around 72,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta between 30 and 31 July, with an estimated 70,000 since returned to Morocco, Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said; at least 75 people died on the Spanish side of the border and 11 in Morocco. EU commissioner Magnus Brunner described the episode as a "test" of European resilience that had been "passed", said the influx was likely fuelled by criminal networks and disinformation, and confirmed emergency EU financial support for Spain's border security. The crossings followed a Spanish Supreme Court ruling barring the summary return of migrants intercepted at sea near Ceuta or Melilla, a decision Morocco says it had warned would cause problems, though Spain disputes this.