Deadly migrant rush to Spain’s Ceuta was sparked by runaway online rumours
It started with Instagram posts that suggested Spain’s border with Morocco was opening up. Then came Facebook users tracking coastguard patrols and TikTok videos showing where to swim. After many shares and comments, thousands of Moroccans became convinced that Europe was suddenly within reach. Within hours, young people began heading towards the border with the Spanish territory of Ceuta in…
A surge in migrants heading to Spain’s Ceuta, a Spanish territory near Morocco, was fueled by false online rumors. Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok posts suggested Spain’s border with Morocco was opening, causing thousands to believe they could reach Europe. The misinformation led to packed buses, trains, and taxis heading towards the border with Ceuta.
Within days, 72,000 people had reached the Spanish territory, resulting in over 80 deaths and a stampede. The surge sparked investigations by the European Union and raised concerns about online disinformation. Moroccan authorities blamed the crisis on "exploitation of the digital sphere" and "spread of misinformation."
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Children in a strange land: the plight of the 1,000 minor migrants still in Spain’s Ceuta apnews.com
- After the deadly Ceuta crossing, Moroccan parents search for their children france24.com
- EU agrees to send border aid to Spain after Ceuta talks dw.com
- Spain says 70,000 of 72,000 migrants who crossed into Ceuta have already returned euronews.com
- EU offers emergency aid to Spain to strengthen Ceuta border aljazeera.com
