EU demands Spain accept being placed under special measures in bid to end internal row over Ceuta migrant crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been urged to reveal the number of migrants shipped back to Morocco after the enclave's borders were overwhelmed last week.

At least 88 are confirmed to have died - either by drowning or being crushed in the crowd - in what is being described as a "mass invasion".

Miguel Ángel Pérez, the Spanish Government’s delegate in Ceuta, shared that 2,500 were estimated to have remained in Ceuta.

Meanwhile, Juan Jesús Vivas, the enclave's most senior official, said the figure was much higher and could be up to 5,000.

It is rare for the Brussels bloc to ask a country to prove its claims by demanding verified figures.

One of the EU's diplomats said the Spanish envoy appeared "bitter" when presenting the latest update on the migrant crisis.

"Member states asked for the situation to be monitored and verification of the numbers of returns shared by Spain, as well as lessons learned to prevent a repeat," the insider told The Telegraph.

In correspondence, Ursula von der Leyen heaped praise onto the Prime Minister's "swift handling" of the shock event.

She wrote: "This determined action is indicative of the commitment to enforce the system in place and has been crucial in preventing further deterioration, and the tragic and unnecessary loss of even more lives.

"I also welcome the further deterrent action your Government has taken to prevent further illegal arrivals, such as reinforced surveillance of the maritime border."

The European Commission leader offered up Frontex deployment, as well as extra funds, to support Spanish defences.

Mrs von der Leyen doubled down on the "enduring support" of the Commission as well as the "strength of our Union" to combat the crisis.

Before, Spain lashed out at what it described as "selfish, polarising and unlawful" responses from some of its other European partners.

Mr Sánchez acknowledged most member states had demonstrated "support and solidarity", but accused others of targeting the nation, "driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest".

Before his criticism, Italy opted to suspend its border-free Schengen arrangement with its Mediterranean ally, triggering fury in Madrid.

Italy does not have a land border with Spain, but the measure will impact people travelling by plane or boat between the two countries.

The interior ministry said in a statement it had also agreed with Paris to strengthen controls along the Franco-Italian land border.

After footage emerged from Ceuta, the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, said: "The images coming from Ceuta are striking and demonstrate, once again, that uncontrolled illegal immigration poses a concrete threat to the security of Europe's borders."