Spain says 70,000 of 72,000 Ceuta migrants returned to Morocco
Madrid updated its count after an EU video summit, as Rabat insisted it had warned that a Spanish court ruling would trigger a mass crossing.
Spain’s interior minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, said on Tuesday that 70,000 of the 72,000 people who entered the North African enclave of Ceuta last week have already left, revising an earlier estimate of 50,000 arrivals. The updated figure was announced after a video conference with EU interior ministers, where the European Commission confirmed that no migrants had reached mainland Spain and that the Schengen free-movement area had not been affected. At least 72 people died on the Spanish side of the border and 11 on the Moroccan side, according to officials, with many drowning or being crushed in a stampede at a breakwater.
A senior Moroccan official, speaking anonymously, said Rabat had alerted Madrid around 22–23 July that a Spanish Supreme Court ruling of 8 July limiting the immediate return of migrants arriving by sea would “create a problem.” The official argued that the mass movement was not a failure of Morocco’s security apparatus, stating that law enforcement could not confront such large numbers and that Rabat and Madrid had acted “as reliable partners” in “perfect coordination.” Morocco puts the annual cost of its migration management at about €500 million and said it had stopped 79,000 attempted crossings in 2024 and 74,000 last year.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez blamed criminal trafficking networks for spreading misinformation about the court ruling, while Moroccan authorities said 25 people are being tried for allegedly organising irregular journeys. Social media accounts on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook had circulated posts falsely claiming the border was open, sharing precise swimming routes and coastguard patrol timings. Migrants interviewed by news agencies said they believed the messages, with one 17-year-old stating, “I saw online that the border was open, and I decided to go.”
France increased police numbers at its border with Spain fivefold to 334 officers, and the European Commission pledged to help Spain reinforce frontier controls. More than 3,000 migrants remain in Ceuta, including over 800 unaccompanied minors, while Spain has opened an investigation into the criminal groups behind the surge. The Moroccan official said it is now “up to Spain to find a solution to restore deterrence,” as the EU seeks to prevent any use of irregular migration to pressure a member state.
| Sub-Saharan African press | −0.20 | neutral |
|---|---|---|
| Continental European press | 0.00 | neutral |
| Southeast Asian press | 0.00 | neutral |
Morocco warned Spain, but field facts show another truth: controls were not at usual levels and the death toll rises.
Juxtaposing official statements with anonymous testimonies creates an implicit contradiction, undermining the Moroccan version.
Omits the spread of misinformation by criminal networks, which Madrid cites as the cause.
Morocco warned Spain in advance; the security apparatus remains fully in place and the influx is due to criminal misinformation.
By reporting Moroccan official statements without counter-narrative, the article treats them as authoritative and closes off alternative explanations.
Omits witness accounts and analyst reports that suggest Moroccan border controls were deliberately relaxed.
Morocco warned Spain; Spain blames criminal networks. Both sides are given equal weight, creating a narrative of mutual accusation rather than clear responsibility.
By presenting the claims of both capitals without adjudication, the article treats the dispute as a he-said-she-said, avoiding any judgment on the truth of either version.
Omits the witness and analyst accounts found in other coverage that suggest Morocco relaxed border controls deliberately.
Broaden your view
Oil majors’ profits soar on Hormuz disruption as Trump demands price cuts
7 languages · 21 outlets
From TechnologyFalcon 9 upper stage to strike Moon on 5 August, offering rare scientific opportunity
3 languages · 8 outlets
From Science & HealthTime-restricted eating improves problem-solving in overweight older women, trial finds
4 languages · 10 outlets