[International] Spain Border Crisis: Morocco Cites Misinterpreted Ruling, Fake News, and Human Trafficking

Morocco's Interior Ministry stated on the 2nd that the recent large-scale border crossing incidents in the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla were caused by fake news on social media, human trafficking networks, and a misinterpretation of the Spanish ruling prohibiting the immediate return of intercepted migrants at sea. In a statement, the Moroccan Interior Ministry said that approximately 40,000 people participated in the large-scale crossing into Ceuta, while 1,135 were blocked from attempting to enter Melilla. The Moroccan Interior Ministry reported 11 deaths, mostly from drowning during the crossing, and stated this was a fact-check against Spanish reports on casualty numbers. Madrid authorities, however, stated that at least 72 people lost their lives. According to Agence France-Presse, Madrid authorities stated that at least 72 people died. Rabat authorities indicated that 10 people drowned, and another person fell to their death from a rocky area. (Editor: Liu Xianghua)