Morocco's Interior Ministry has attributed a recent mass crossing of migrants into the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla to misinformation spread on social media, human trafficking networks, and misinterpretation of a Spanish Supreme Court ruling. According to the ministry's statement on August 2, 2026, about 40,000 people rushed into Ceuta, while 1,135 were stopped from entering Melilla.

The ministry reported at least 11 deaths, mostly by drowning, during attempts to cross the border into Ceuta. This figure is notably lower than the Spanish government's count, which stated it had recovered 72 bodies, up from an earlier report of 67. Morocco indicated its death toll might only include fatalities on its side of the border and is still verifying reports of additional deaths across the border.

The Spanish Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, echoed Morocco's concerns, blaming people-smuggling networks for exploiting migrants by spreading misleading interpretations of a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling. The ruling clarified that migrants intercepted at sea cannot be summarily returned without a physical barrier.

While most migrants who entered Ceuta left within 48 hours, the event alarmed the European Union, prompting 22 member states to call for coordinated measures to protect external borders. The AUGC union representing Spain's Civil Guard has requested reinforcements of at least 200 officers and emphasized the need for enhanced efforts to prevent migrants from circumventing border barriers by swimming.

Morocco emphasized its role as a reliable partner to Spain, stating, "Morocco isn't any threat to Ceuta or the rest of Spain. It's a fully reliable partner." The ministry also criticized the European Union's reaction as "selfish, polarising and unlawful" in the current international context.

Sources