Italy extends border checks on arrivals from Spain

Italy has extended by another 15 days the border checks imposed on passengers arriving from Spain by air and sea. The decision was taken amid the ongoing migration crisis in Ceuta, a Spanish city in North Africa.

Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing ANSA, that Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi decided to extend the measures after consulting the Committee for the Analysis of Migration and Border Security.

The decision was reportedly based on the situation in Ceuta and the continuation of previously identified critical problems. The information was also sent to the European Commission and EU member states.

It was previously reported that around 70,000 irregular migrants swam from the shores of Morocco’s Fnideq to Spain’s Ceuta on July 30 and 31. Following an increase in attempts at irregular migration, the Spanish government decided to deploy armed forces to the area to ensure security. The number of irregular migrants who died while attempting to cross from Morocco to Spain was reported at 88.

Due to the influx of migrants into Ceuta, Italy suspended free movement with Spain from Aug. 1. As the two countries do not share a land border, Rome began imposing border checks on passengers arriving from Spain by sea and air.

Italy’s decision drew a protest from Spain. Madrid also announced that it would impose border checks on passengers arriving in Spain from Italy by sea and air for a similar period.

Rome extended the checks on Sept. 15. Madrid subsequently said that passengers arriving from Italy would be subject to border checks until Oct. 8.