Spain reopened its border with the British colony of Gibraltar today after sealing it for the first time in nearly two decade because a cruise ship carrying tourists with a stomach infection had docked there.
The Aurora, carrying hundreds of British tourists who have suffered from the infection, sailed earlier today for Southampton, England.
The Gibraltar government's decision to allow the ship to dock prompted Spain to close the border between the Rock and Spain early this morning, leaving hundreds of workers and tourists stranded on the wrong side.
Spain said the closure was a provisional measure designed toprotect its citizens' health but British Foreign Secretary Mr JackStraw called it "unnecessary and disproportionate".