Morocco Acknowledges 40,000 Migrant Entries to Ceuta, Reports 11 Deaths

Morocco has officially recognized that approximately 40,000 individuals arrived at its border with the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, with another 1,135 reaching Melilla. The country's Interior Ministry reported 11 deaths, ten of whom drowned. This marks Morocco's first official statement on the events, with the ministry vowing to remain a reliable partner committed to international cooperation and coordination.

The ministry attributed the surge in arrivals to a combination of factors. These include the "biased exploitation of digital space," the spread of "misleading information," and the actions of "human trafficking gangs." Additionally, misinterpretations of legal and administrative data created a false sense of an easy and consequence-free path to Europe, the statement explained.

Spanish authorities, meanwhile, have confirmed a significantly higher death toll, reporting 72 fatalities. Combined with Morocco's confirmed deaths, the total exceeds 80. Spanish officials stated that over 50,000 people entered Ceuta, and the majority have since been returned to their home countries. The Moroccan prosecutor's office has launched a judicial investigation into the events to determine responsibilities and legal consequences.