- False social media posts about Spain's border led to a significant surge in migrant crossings into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco.
- More than 80 migrants died during the crossings, with at least 72 fatalities reported on the Spanish side and 11 on the Moroccan side.
- The origin of the claims that the border was open remains unclear, as several social media accounts were deleted after the crossings.
- Some migrants misunderstood recent Spanish legal developments, including immigration regularization measures that only applied to those already in Spain before January 1.
- Morocco’s Interior Ministry attributed the crisis to the exploitation of the digital sphere and misinformation, while both Morocco and Spain blamed smuggling networks.
- Youth unemployment in Morocco is high, with 37 percent of people ages 15 to 24 unemployed, contributing to the desire to migrate.
Thousands of migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, driven by false social media posts claiming the border was open. This misinformation led to an unprecedented migration surge, with an estimated 60,000 people arriving in just a few days, marking the largest influx in years.1
Authorities reported that over 80 migrants died during the chaotic crossings, with at least 72 fatalities on the Spanish side and 11 on the Moroccan side. The situation escalated as migrants attempted to climb onto land at a narrow breakwater, resulting in stampedes and drownings. “I stepped on the face of a dead man while I was climbing out,” recounted Lahcen Kalouch, a Moroccan migrant who witnessed the tragedy.
The Interior Ministry attributed the crisis to the “exploitation of the digital sphere” and the spread of misinformation, although it did not provide evidence. Investigations are underway to determine the origins of the false claims. “They fired tear gas at me and beat me with batons,” said a teenager who attempted the crossing, reflecting the desperation faced by many young Moroccans amid a youth unemployment rate of 37 percent.6
Both Morocco and Spain have pointed fingers at human smugglers and trafficking networks for encouraging the mass crossings, but many returning migrants dispute this narrative, emphasizing the role of social media in their decisions to migrate.
“An estimated 60,000 people reached Ceuta in a few days, the largest migration surge between Morocco and Spain in years. At least 72 migrants died on the Spanish side and 11 on the Moroccan side, including some who drowned and others killed in a stampede, authorities said.”
The Globe and Mail
