On Sunday, August 2, 2026, the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior issued an official statement confirming that the recent events at the crossing points leading to the cities of Ceuta and Melilla were not spontaneous or due to temporary factors. Instead, these incidents arose from a combination of several factors, including the malicious exploitation of digital spaces, the dissemination of misleading information, the exploitation of human trafficking networks, and misinterpretations of certain legal and administrative data that misled many young individuals into believing they could easily access European territory without legal repercussions.
The ministry clarified that public authorities had adopted a proactive and comprehensive approach since the onset of these developments, which involved early monitoring of indicators, enhancing vigilance and mobilization, and increasing the readiness of various security services and local authorities. This strategy also included intensified land and sea surveillance, which enabled authorities to manage the situation effectively, protect lives, maintain public order, and secure borders while adhering to legal standards and the principle of proportionality in interventions.
Official data revealed that the actual number of individuals attempting irregular crossings towards Ceuta reached approximately 40,000, compared to around 1,135 individuals headed for Melilla. All persons who managed to reach Melilla were promptly returned, and these figures are based on reliable technical systems for field monitoring and tracking, serving as the official reference compared to some circulating figures lacking credible data.
The ministry noted that recent judicial decisions in Spain restricting the immediate repatriation of certain irregular migrants intercepted at sea have been misinterpreted, leading some would-be migrants to believe they could evade immediate return by swimming. This misconception has contributed to the rise in such crossing attempts.
Regarding human casualties, the Ministry of the Interior reported one accidental death from a fall near a rocky area adjacent to Ceuta, alongside ten drowning fatalities. The short distance between the shores and the shallow depths at certain points created a false sense of ease in crossing among participants, prompting them to risk their lives, resulting in tragic outcomes for some attempts.
Furthermore, the ministry stated that it continues to coordinate with Spanish authorities to verify reports concerning additional deaths in Ceuta, aiming to determine the actual number of victims, their identities, and nationalities, while completing the necessary legal, administrative, and humanitarian procedures.
In this context, the Ministry of the Interior affirmed that crossing points have been opened for individuals wishing to return voluntarily, aligning with existing cooperation with the Spanish side and in accordance with established procedures, which has contributed to a gradual return to normalcy.
The ministry also announced that the competent public prosecutor's office has initiated judicial investigations into various actions and incidents related to these events, aiming to clarify all circumstances, establish responsibilities, and apply legal consequences as per the law's provisions.
Moreover, the Ministry of the Interior emphasized that managing irregular migration requires a comprehensive approach based on shared responsibility, solidarity, and burden-sharing. It reaffirmed that the Kingdom of Morocco will continue to uphold its commitments as a reliable partner in combating irregular migration and human trafficking, while taking all necessary measures to protect public order, secure borders, and ensure the safety of individuals and property within the framework of the rule of law and respect for national and international obligations.
As reported by marrakech7.com.
