Morocco Blames Social Media for Ceuta Migration Surge

Morocco's Interior Ministry has released its first official death toll following last week's mass migrant crossings into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, reporting 11 fatalities, a figure that sharply contrasts with Spain's estimate of at least 72 deaths.

According to Moroccan authorities, 10 of the victims drowned while another died after falling from a rocky area. Interior Ministry spokesperson Rachid El Khalfi said Morocco is working with Spain to verify the number of casualties and identify bodies found on Spanish territory. Prosecutors have also launched an official investigation into the events.

The mass crossing unfolded between Wednesday and Friday, when tens of thousands of migrants attempted to enter Ceuta, creating the enclave's largest migration surge on record and triggering political tensions within the European Union. Spain estimates that more than 60,000 people entered the territory during the crisis, although most returned voluntarily to Morocco within 48 hours.

Morocco said there were around 40,000 attempts to cross illegally into Ceuta and another 1,135 attempts to enter the Spanish enclave of Melilla farther east. According to the ministry, those trying to reach Melilla were immediately returned to Moroccan territory.

Moroccan officials blamed the sudden surge on the "malicious exploitation" of social media and the "spread of misleading information," arguing that false claims encouraged migrants to head for the border. The ministry also pointed to what it described as "misinterpretations of legal provisions," referring to a July 8 ruling by Spain's Supreme Court concerning the treatment of migrants arriving by sea.

Spain has also attributed the mass movement to rumors spread by criminal networks, suggesting migrants were falsely told they would be able to enter the country more easily following the court ruling. Some migrants who crossed into Ceuta said they had heard the border was open, a claim that spread rapidly on social media.

The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) has disputed the official figures, saying there were "nearly 130 victims" and that dozens more people remain missing.

On Sunday, Spanish police and military personnel continued patrolling Ceuta as the situation largely returned to normal. Only small groups of migrants remained in the enclave, including minors sheltering in temporary locations. Rescue teams also continued searching waters near the border barrier, where floating security barriers have been reinforced.

The migration crisis has sparked diplomatic tensions within the European Union, with several member states criticizing Spain's migration policies. The EU is set to hold a video conference on Tuesday after 22 member countries called for an urgent coordinated response to prevent further uncontrolled crossings.

Italy has temporarily suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain for one month, reintroducing border controls between the two countries. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized what he called the "selfish" response of some EU partners, while Pope Leo XIV said he was following developments in Ceuta "with concern" and expressed hope for a solution based on "peace, stability and justice."