Pedro Sánchez hits out at ‘polarising and unlawful reaction’ over mass crossing into Spanish enclave in north Africa The EU will hold an extraordinary meeting of interior ministers…

Pedro Sánchez hits out at ‘polarising and unlawful reaction’ over mass crossing into Spanish enclave in north Africa The EU will hold an extraordinary meeting of interior ministers after a breakdown of political unity over the arrival of more than 50,000 irregular migrants in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in north Africa. Officials representing EU member states and Frontex border agency experts met at an emergency meeting on Saturday after Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish prime minister, accused some EU countries, particularly Italy, of weaponising Friday’s events instead of showing “solidarity and empathy”. Andy Burnham, the British prime minister, said on Saturday: “I have been in touch with the Spanish prime minister and [we are] providing what help we can.” His comments came as Spain announced it was installing a new barrier along the breakwater into the sea after the massive border breach. There is frustration in Spain that previous incidents of this scale, where migrants massed on the border of Poland, were labelled as a “hybrid attack” from Belarus, and were met with solidarity for Poland. More than 50,000 people crossed into the territory from Morocco on Thursday and Friday, with at least 67 people dying in the attempt. Some drowned, while others were crushed as they tried to cross a breakwater barrier. Although more than 48,000 people had voluntarily returned to Morocco by 6pm on Friday, the influx triggered a political crisis for the Madrid government and led some fellow EU countries to call for Spain to be suspended from the Schengen free-movement zone.