Morocco blames misinformation, traffickers for migrant surge to Ceuta

Morocco’s Interior Ministry said late Sunday that the latest mass crossings into the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla were fueled by misinformation spread on social media and by human trafficking networks.

In a statement, the ministry said: "The Interior Ministry confirms that all data collected and analyzed indicate these incidents were not the result of spontaneous or circumstantial factors, but rather stemmed from several interrelated causes. Chief among them were the deliberate misuse of digital platforms, the spread of misleading information, the role of human trafficking gangs, and misinterpretations of legal and administrative information."

The ministry noted that around 40,000 people took part in the mass attempt to cross into Ceuta, while 1,135 were prevented from entering Melilla.

The ministry added that 11 people died, most by drowning during the crossing, and said it is working to verify reports of fatalities from the Spanish side of the border.