Spain starts border checks on Italy after migrant row

Spain has introduced border checks on flights and ships from Italy, effective from midnight on Saturday until September 7. This move is part of a dispute between the two countries over irregular migration. According to the South China Morning Post, travellers from Italy will be subject to random checks at ports and airports to verify their identity, nationality, and visa or residence permit.

The checks were announced after Italy refused to lift its own border restrictions, which were imposed in response to a mass influx of migrants into Spain's North African exclave of Ceuta, with around 78,000 migrants reported by MyJoyOnline Ghana. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that her country would not accept ultimatums regarding national security and border checks.

The border checks are a response to Italy's similar measures, which were introduced last Saturday and are set to remain in place until at least August 15, as reported by MyJoyOnline Ghana and the South China Morning Post. The Spanish government had threatened Italy with countermeasures if it did not lift its own border checks.

Brief written by urgent.news from Le Monde English, Global News, South China Morning Post, MyJoyOnline Ghana, France 24 — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — read the original for the full account.