France announced it will strengthen controls at the French-Spanish border. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said: "In response to the situation observed in the Ceuta enclave, I gave instructions as of last night to immediately strengthen the controls at the Spanish border. Furthermore, I am activating the Rapid Intervention Border Force for in-depth checks."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has arrived in Ceuta, accompanied by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. He first visited the Tarajal border crossing and is now talking to officials from local authorities, border and police services. He is expected to speak in the coming hour.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson urged Spain to "act swiftly to regain control of the situation." In a post on X, he said: "If the developments were to risk affecting Sweden's security or migration situation, the government is prepared to take the measures required to safeguard order and control."

Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said that as "Spain has completely failed to protect the Schengen Area's external border," all EU countries should support Italy's proposal to suspend its Schengen status. "Countries that do not fulfil their obligation to protect the external border cannot be members of Schengen," she said.

Dutch Interior Minister Tom Berendsen called the events in Ceuta "concerning." "We are counting on Spain to do what is necessary to protect the EU's external borders and on Morocco also taking the necessary steps," he added.

There are reports of people who arrived last night waiting in parts of the city, with El Mundo reporting long queues at local supermarkets. There are also reports that some migrants are choosing to return to Morocco.

Local police in Ceuta are fencing off the centre of the enclave as Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit in the coming hours, public broadcaster RTVE reported. Sánchez is set to arrive just before midday local time (11am UK).

Spanish King Felipe VI spoke by telephone with PM Pedro Sánchez and Ceuta's president Juan Jesús Vivas to discuss the unfolding crisis, the Royal Household said.

The crisis prompted strong reactions in France. Far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen said: "Faced with the massive and coordinated influx of migrants into Spain, encouraged by the Spanish government, France must without delay strengthen controls at its borders. And in 2027, we will put an end to this madness by reserving Schengen free movement for EU nationals."

Former Prime Minister Michel Barnier struck a similar tone: "The European Union now has an essential tool thanks to the advances achieved by the @EPP & @fxbellamy in the European Parliament with the new return directive. It is time to move from texts to action: every person in an ir..."

Spanish opposition called on Sánchez to "defend our national security." An estimated 49,000 people have crossed into Ceuta, more than half of its population. This raises concerns over a fresh migration crisis, with Italy demanding Spain be suspended from the Schengen area.