HELSINKI — Finland announced Friday that it supports Italy's call to suspend Spain from the Schengen Area following the recent mass influx of irregular migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco.

Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said Spain had "completely failed" to protect the Schengen Area's external borders, arguing that countries unable to meet their border security obligations should not remain part of the passport-free zone. She also urged other European governments to back the proposal put forward by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The political dispute follows an unprecedented surge that saw around 49,000 migrants cross into Ceuta by land and sea within a single day, leaving at least 19 people dead and placing severe pressure on local authorities.

On Friday, Morocco and Spain reinforced security along the border surrounding the enclave, appearing to halt the wave of crossings that has reignited debate across Europe over migration policy, border management, and the future of the Schengen system.