The Spanish government will introduce border surveillance in ports and airports for tourists from Italy, the Europa Press agency reports, citing sources in the cabinet.
As specified, checks will be carried out selectively and will remain in force until midnight on September 7, unless "the correction of the circumstances that led to their introduction requires adjusting these deadlines."
Spain introduced these measures in response to Italy's suspension of the Schengen agreement with Spain. Rome closed its sea and air borders on July 31 due to the influx of migrants in the enclave of Ceuta.
Earlier today, Madrid threatened proportionate measures if the border surveillance was not lifted by August 9, but the Italian government refused to do so at least until next Saturday, rejecting the ultimatum.
At the end of the previous month, the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta, located in North Africa and bordering Morocco, faced a mass influx of migrants swimming and on foot. According to Spain's Interior Ministry, since then about 72,000 people have entered, while its entire population is about 85,000. It was reported that more than 70 people drowned or died in the stampede. The vast majority of illegal immigrants were later returned.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the mass border breach an attack and a violation of territorial integrity. The authorities sent additional police units, Civil Guard and soldiers to the city.