Morocco reveals what fueled spike in irregular migration to Spanish enclaves

The sharp surge in irregular migration from Morocco to the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla was driven by “multiple interrelated factors,” Morocco's Interior Ministry said, according to Hespress.

In a statement issued on August 2, the ministry identified the main drivers as the malicious exploitation of digital platforms, the spread of false information, the activities of migrant smuggling networks, and misleading interpretations of legal and administrative developments that created the impression that reaching Europe had become easier and carried few legal consequences.

Moroccan authorities said they recorded attempts by 40,000 people to reach Ceuta and around 1,135 to enter Melilla. All migrants who crossed into Melilla were returned, the ministry added.

The authorities also confirmed 11 deaths linked to the recent migration wave. One person died after falling from a rocky area, while 10 others drowned while attempting to reach the enclave by sea. The ministry noted that the distance between Morocco and Ceuta is less than 70 meters in some places, with water just over two meters deep, creating a false sense of safety. Reports of additional fatalities are being verified through cooperation with the Spanish authorities.

In coordination with Spain, border crossings have been opened to facilitate the voluntary return of migrants, while Morocco's Public Prosecutor's Office has launched judicial investigations to establish all the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The migration crisis began on July 30, when thousands of Moroccans started crossing into Ceuta by swimming, using inflatable rings, and small boats. Around 50,000 people entered the Spanish enclave within a day and a half, while Ceuta's local authorities estimated the figure at nearly 60,000.

By Jeyhun Aghazada