Spain's border checks reach Liguria's ferry lanes

Spain on Saturday introduced temporary border checks on travellers arriving from Italy, escalating a dispute between the EU partners over migration, according to France 24. The move follows Italy's decision to impose similar controls after more than 70,000 migrants crossed into Spain's Ceuta enclave from Morocco, most of whom later returned.

The checks, which apply to flights and ships from Italy, came into force at midnight on Saturday and will remain until September 7, Le Monde reported. Spain had warned Italy it would impose entry checks on visitors unless Rome halted its own controls by Sunday, Deutsche Welle said, even though the two countries do not share a land border.

For Liguria, the maritime dimension of the Spanish measures carries particular weight. The region's port of Genoa is a major hub for passenger ferries and cruise traffic, and the new controls on ships mean travellers departing Italian ports for Spanish destinations will face additional scrutiny at the height of the summer season.