Denmark calls on the European Union to consider suspending Spain's Schengen membership after the Ceuta crisis and the crossing of 60,000 Moroccans to the Spanish border in 24 hours.

European and Danish reactions intensified following the large influx of migrants into the Spanish city of Ceuta, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calling for the European Union to consider all options, including suspending Spain's participation in the Schengen Agreement, if it cannot regain control of its external borders. Meanwhile, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen warned of a repeat of the migration crisis that Europe witnessed in 2015, at a time when similar positions were issued by a number of European leaders.

Danish call to discuss suspending Spain's membership in Schengen

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, in a written comment to the Ritzau news agency, confirmed that the images coming from the city of Ceuta were “shocking,” stressing that Europe would not accept a repeat of what happened during the migration crisis in 2015.

She added that the European Union must act immediately and take all necessary steps, and consider all available options, including suspending Spain’s participation in the Schengen Agreement, in light of the ongoing developments on the Spanish border with Morocco.

Loke warns against a repeat of the 2015 scenario.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen also warned, via his Instagram account, that the crossing of nearly 50,000 irregular migrants into Spanish territory in one day brings back memories of the scenes Europe experienced in 2015.

He said that “Europe must not be left open again,” adding that during his contacts with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares he stressed the need for Spain to deal with the situation firmly and quickly.

The Danish immigration minister demands European clarification.

Danish Immigration and Integration Minister Morten Bødskov announced that he had asked the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union to provide clarification regarding what he described as the ”serious situation” in Ceuta.

He explained, according to the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration, that the European Union cannot accept the lack of effective control over its external borders, expressing his welcome for the Spanish government’s announcement of sending police and army reinforcements to the region to strengthen border protection.

He added that the responsibility for protecting the EU's external borders rests with each member state.

Unprecedented border crisis in Ceuta

The current crisis stems from the influx of tens of thousands of Moroccans into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The Spanish Interior Ministry reported that approximately 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the North African city of Ceuta in the past 24 hours, and social media users shared videos documenting the migrants crossing the sea to reach Spain.

The Spanish Interior Ministry added that the migrants swam around the border fence to reach Spanish territory, while initial information indicated that 18 people died while trying to cross, before the head of the Ceuta government, Jesús Vivas, later announced that the number of victims had risen to 34, according to Reuters.

European division observed new

TV2 correspondent Jesper Steinmetz believes the crisis has once again revealed the extent of the division among EU countries regarding immigration policy.

He explained that the Spanish government, led by Pedro Sánchez, has adopted a more open policy towards immigration compared to most European countries, including Denmark, noting that freedom of movement within the Schengen area means that the repercussions of the crisis extend beyond Spain’s borders and lead to increasing tensions between member states.

The Spanish Prime Minister speaks of a "violation of sovereignty".“

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the mass crossing as a “violation of Spain’s territorial sovereignty,” considering what happened to be an attack on the integrity of Spanish territory.

He added, during a press conference reported by Reuters, that human smuggling networks exploited a ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court and promoted, via social media, the idea that migrants arriving in Ceuta by sea would not be returned to Morocco.

Spain announces security reinforcements and cooperation with Morocco

Pedro Sanchez also announced that his country is working with Moroccan authorities to expedite the return of migrants who arrived in Ceuta, and thanked Morocco for its cooperation.

Meanwhile, the Spanish Interior Ministry announced it was sending more police officers, as well as eight divers, a boat and drones to reinforce security on the border, according to Agence France-Presse.

Von der Leyen calls for stricter measures

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the scenes coming from Ceuta as “unacceptable”.

She stressed that no one can be allowed to enter the European Union without adhering to the rules, calling for an immediate halt to dangerous crossings, the dismantling of smuggling networks, and the acceleration of migrant returns in accordance with European laws.

She added that she had tasked Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner and Commissioner for the Mediterranean region Dubravka Šuica with helping manage the crisis and communicating with Morocco.

European countries support a tougher stance

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that it is important for Spain to act quickly to regain control of the situation, stressing that his government is prepared to take the necessary measures if the crisis affects Sweden’s security or immigration situation. He also explained that Swedish Immigration Minister Johan Forssell is in contact with his counterparts in the Nordic countries.

For his part, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the German government is in contact with the Spanish government, stressing that protecting the EU's external borders is a key element in combating irregular migration, and that all member states are required to fulfill this responsibility.

Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen also announced her support for the Italian proposal to suspend Spain’s membership in the Schengen Agreement, arguing that Spain had “completely failed” to protect the external borders of the Schengen area from illegal entry, and called on all European countries to support this proposal.

Migrants begin returning to Morocco

Spanish media outlets, including El País and the Spanish news agency EFE, reported that hundreds of migrants have begun returning to Morocco due to overcrowding, food shortages, and the closure of several shops and restaurants in Ceuta.

Reuters also quoted a migrant named Said who said he climbed the border wall and then swam about 200 meters to reach Ceuta, while another migrant named Reda said he decided to return to Morocco after he did not get food or a place to sleep, calling on others not to try to cross because of the dangerous situation.