Spain migrant crisis: Pedro Sanchez visits Ceuta after mass Morocco crossings

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has travelled to Ceuta after an estimated 60,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish territory from Morocco in a single day, according to local authorities.

According to CNN, officials in Ceuta said at least 34 people died, many by drowning, as large crowds crossed the border by land and sea, overwhelming security forces.

Spanish authorities said they would seek to remove people who entered illegally as quickly as possible, despite a recent court ruling placing new limits on immediate border expulsions.

Sánchez described the mass crossings as a "violation of Spain’s territorial integrity."

"What happened yesterday deserves our full reproach, our full condemnation. The government of Spain will use all the instruments of the state, all the resources of the state, to guarantee the security of the people of Ceuta," he said.

CNN reported that authorities believe the flow of new arrivals has now slowed, but the incident has sparked political debate across Europe.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for Spain's participation in the Schengen Area to be suspended, saying: "We are ready to intervene even with extraordinary tools to defend the borders and the security of citizens, such as the suspension of the Schengen area with Spain."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said: "we cannot allow anyone to come to our Union without abiding by our rules."