Spain to impose border controls against Italy as row over Ceuta migrant influx intensifies - BBC News

Italy introduced border controls following an influx of about 78,000 migrants from Morocco into the neighbouring Spanish exclave of Ceuta.

Image source, ReutersImage caption, Both countries say their border checks will remain in place for one month

Spain has imposed border controls on all air and sea travel from Italy as a row between the two EU countries intensifies.

The measures - which started at midnight (22:00 GMT) and will last for a month - come a week after Italy introduced similar restrictions following an influx of about 78,000 migrants from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta.

Spanish officials said the documents of 5%-10% of passengers were being checked before they were allowed to disembark planes. Italy has also said its border controls are random.

The crisis has pitted Spain's socialist leader Pedro Sanchez against Italy's conservative leader Giorgia Meloni - who has long called for stricter EU migration rules.