Spain and Italy escalate border row over Ceuta migration crisis

Spain has announced it will introduce temporary border checks on visitors from Italy, in response to Rome imposing similar measures after a mass rush of people from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, the Guardian reported on Friday.

The checks come amid a deepening row between the two European Union members. Italy introduced its border controls following an influx of about 78,000 migrants from Morocco into Ceuta, according to the BBC, an unprecedented and deadly rush that has left the enclave in a state of humanitarian emergency.

Spain had warned Italy it would impose entry checks on visitors unless Rome halts its controls by Sunday, Deutsche Welle reported. Even though the two countries do not share a land border, the tit-for-tat measures mark a rare public spat between EU partners.