Rabat: The Moroccan government has announced that social media misinformation and human traffickers are responsible for the recent mass migration into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta.

According to Nam News Network, the Interior Ministry of Morocco highlighted that the influx was primarily driven by misleading information circulating on social media platforms, combined with the activities of human traffickers. Additionally, a misinterpretation of a Spanish court ruling contributed to the belief among migrants that they could enter Europe without facing immediate repatriation.

Official estimates indicate that between 50,000 to 60,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco by the end of the week, overwhelming the territory, which has a population of approximately 85,000. However, the Moroccan Interior Ministry provided a slightly lower estimate, stating that around 40,000 individuals had entered Ceuta. Furthermore, an additional 1,135 migrants attempted to reach Melilla, another Spanish exclave, but were promp
tly returned.

The Moroccan government reported a death toll of 11 migrants during these crossings, whereas Spanish authorities claimed that at least 72 individuals lost their lives attempting to reach Ceuta. Efforts are ongoing between Moroccan and Spanish authorities to verify further reports of fatalities and to determine the identities and nationalities of those involved in the crossings.