Last week, a wave of migrants from Morocco surged into Spain's Ceuta territory, initially starting with a small number but quickly escalating to approximately 60,000 individuals. This mass migration was largely fueled by misleading information circulating on social media, including videos that showcased the perceived ease of crossing into Spain.

Reports indicate that over 80 people have tragically drowned or been trampled in this unprecedented attempt to reach Ceuta. The situation escalated after a ruling by Spain's Supreme Court three weeks prior, which stated that migrants intercepted at sea could not be immediately expelled at the borders of Ceuta and Melilla. Legal experts clarified that while this ruling prevented immediate expulsion, it did not stop the quick deportation of migrants afterward.

Ceuta has long attracted migrants hoping to build a new life in Europe. However, a widespread misunderstanding of the court ruling led many to believe that anyone who reached Ceuta, by land or sea, could not be sent back. A young Moroccan man, in a now-deleted video, encouraged others by claiming, "Never believe anyone who tells you that if you get to Ceuta, they will send you back. You won't be sent back." This sentiment was echoed in various videos circulating on social media.

One particularly viral video from July 28 showed two young women smiling and walking through the streets of Ceuta after successfully crossing. The following day, social media was flooded with videos from influencers, some wearing diving gear and swimming aids, showcasing their journeys to Ceuta. Mounim Belhaj, a dog groomer with 31,000 followers on Instagram, stated he decided to swim to Spain after seeing reports of migrants being well-treated upon arrival.

Many of the videos and online groups that amplified calls for migration to Ceuta have since been removed, and their original posting dates remain unclear. Some videos were misleading; one, seen millions of times, depicted a young man swimming towards what was claimed to be Ceuta but was actually filmed at a Moroccan Atlantic coastal city.

In 2024, Moroccan authorities prosecuted several individuals suspected of inciting the mass migration online. Misleading posts on social media platforms, including one with over 28,000 likes, falsely claimed that Spain's current program to legalize residency for hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants would end on July 30. Similar messages circulated in the early hours of July 30.

Chat groups also played a significant role in this reckless migration wave. A report by Spanish security analyst Chema Gil identified two public WhatsApp groups, managed by Algerian phone numbers and totaling 3,700 members, providing advice on routes to Ceuta. These conversations urged members to act quickly, with messages like, "Those who do not move today will regret it tomorrow." The identities of the group managers remain unknown.

In their quest for a better life, many have risked their lives swimming across the sea to Ceuta. However, by the following evening, hunger and hostility forced many to turn back. Thousands remain stranded, particularly sub-Saharan Africans and unaccompanied minors who cannot be expelled. Belhaj reflected, "We made a mistake in coming here." Ceuta is a Spanish exclave territory.