Portugal maintains Schengen rules with Spain but tightens border controls over Ceuta crisis

LISBON, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said Friday that Portugal will not suspend Schengen free movement rules with Spain over deadly migrant crossings into Ceuta, but will strengthen border controls along the country's southern maritime and land frontiers.

"There is no reason to take any measure to suspend the rules of the Schengen area, but there are reasons to reinforce the presence of security forces at border controls closest to this event, on the maritime and land borders of southern Portugal," Montenegro said.

Some 60,000 migrants are estimated to have entered Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco over the past 24 hours, local media reported on Friday, with at least 57 people dying in attempts to make the crossing.

Montenegro called the situation "serious" and said it required close monitoring, while urging against "hysteria" and calling for measured, realistic decisions.

Spain's Interior Ministry estimated that 48,300 migrants have returned to Morocco by 6 p.m. (1600 GMT) on Friday, many of them voluntarily after realizing they will not be able to stay in Spain or continue on to the mainland. ■