The Moroccan government has spoken for the first time about the developments in Ceuta. According to authorities, false information was the cause behind the sudden migration of tens of thousands of people.
The Moroccan government considers misinformation on social media and the activities of human smugglers to be the main reasons why, in recent days, tens of thousands of people attempted to cross from Morocco into Ceuta, the Spanish enclave in North Africa. According to Morocco’s Ministry of Interior, a Spanish court decision preventing the immediate return of migrants intercepted at sea was also misinterpreted.
According to Moroccan authorities, the flow of migrants was not organized but occurred spontaneously. This marks the first official statement from the North African country regarding these events. The Spanish government had previously cited similar reasons. Morocco’s statement reaffirmed that the country remains committed to combating illegal migration. At the same time, Morocco called for a fairer distribution of responsibility and burden-sharing.
In recent days, Spanish media have reported that the Moroccan government may have deliberately encouraged or at least tolerated the flow toward Ceuta in order to pressure Spain. According to Spanish media reports, some migrants independently stated that they were not stopped by authorities but were instead encouraged to cross the border.
Morocco Reports 11 Deaths
Moroccan authorities estimate that around 40,000 migrants attempted to enter Ceuta. Spain, meanwhile, has reported more than 50,000 people. The differences are even greater regarding the number of victims.
According to Morocco, 11 migrants lost their lives, most of them by drowning. Moroccan authorities said reports of deaths on the Spanish side of the border are still being verified.
Spanish police, however, report more than 70 deaths. According to them, some migrants drowned, while others were crushed by crowds as they attempted to cross the protective barrier and border fence.
More than 1,000 people received medical assistance in Ceuta, according to authorities. Nearly all migrants who reached the Spanish enclave on Thursday have now been returned to Morocco, according to official Spanish data.
