Almost all recent illegal migrants leave Ceuta for Morocco — Foreign Ministry

Lead

Nearly all migrants who entered Spain's North African city of Ceuta in late July have returned to Morocco, the Spanish Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by TASS. The ministry underlined that entering Spain irregularly through Ceuta or the neighboring enclave of Melilla does not grant the right to remain in the country, reach mainland Spain, or travel freely across Europe, and said Madrid had reinforced Ceuta's sea containment fences.

The mass crossing began in late July, when tens of thousands of people reached Ceuta by swimming or walking around the breakwater separating the city from Morocco. Spain deployed troops to secure the city. According to the Spanish government, at least 72 people died while attempting to reach Spanish territory; Rabat reported 11 casualties.

In the days that followed, Spanish officials said the movement had been largely reversed. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told reporters that about 72,000 people had entered Spain illegally and that 70,000 had already left the country, up from an earlier Spanish estimate of 50,000. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said the return was inevitable, telling reporters that "mafia groups must stop deceiving young people and those who cross from Morocco to Ceuta, because they will end up going back to Morocco."

At the same time, Moroccan authorities were still accounting for people who had not returned. Citing The Maghreb Times, TASS reported that about 60 Moroccans were considered missing, after an initial list of 43 names grew by a further 17. Morocco recommended that families unable to contact their loved ones not rely solely on social media in their search, saying it does not replace official channels, and warned that the number of missing could rise.

Coverage comparison

TASS covered the episode from several angles. One dispatch focused on return figures, centered on remarks by the Spanish interior minister. Another, based on a statement from the EU Council after EU interior ministers held an emergency videoconference, quoted the Council as saying "the very large majority of people who have crossed illegally have been returned" and that there had been "no onward movement to mainland Spain or other member states."

A further report, citing The Maghreb Times, described conditions inside Ceuta and the migrants' desire to go back voluntarily. According to that report, hundreds of adults and minors asked for permission to leave at the El Tarajal border checkpoint, and witnesses said limited resources and a reality sharply different from what migrants had expected influenced their decision to return. The Maghreb Times described an initial mood of enthusiasm changing into alarm and uncertainty as the scale of the crisis became evident.

A later dispatch focused on the missing. TASS, again citing The Maghreb Times and sources in Moroccan law-enforcement agencies, reported that the number of missing Moroccans had risen from 43 to 57 and that the figure was considered to be about 60. The same report noted that relatives had found three young people among those who had returned from Ceuta.

The figures in TASS's dispatches evolved as officials updated them. Spain's initial estimate of 50,000 crossings was later revised by the interior minister to 72,000 entrants and 70,000 returnees, while the Spanish Foreign Ministry said practically all those who arrived had returned.

Key Claims

• Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said about 72,000 people entered Ceuta illegally and about 70,000 had already returned to Morocco, while Spain earlier estimated the number at 50,000, TASS reported.
• The Spanish Foreign Ministry said almost everyone who crossed the border had returned to Morocco and that irregular entry through Ceuta or Melilla does not grant the right to remain in Spain, enter mainland Spain, or travel freely across Europe, TASS reported.
• The EU Council said after an emergency videoconference of EU interior ministers that the very large majority of people who crossed illegally had been returned and there was no onward movement to mainland Spain or other EU countries, TASS reported.
• Hundreds of migrants, including minors, asked border services at the El Tarajal checkpoint to be allowed to return to Morocco voluntarily, TASS reported, citing The Maghreb Times.
• About 60 Moroccans were considered missing nearly a week after the crossing; the initial list of 43 grew by 17 names, and relatives had found three young people among the returnees, TASS reported, citing The Maghreb Times.
• At least 72 people died attempting to reach Spanish territory, according to the Spanish government, while Rabat reported 11 casualties, TASS reported.

Perspectives

Spanish government: Madrid portrayed the crisis as contained, insisting that almost all migrants had returned and that irregular entry confers no right to remain or travel onward, while Defense Minister Margarita Robles blamed migrant-smuggling networks for deceiving young people.

Moroccan authorities: Rabat compiled lists of missing Moroccans, warned the number could rise, and advised families to search through official channels rather than social media. Rabat reported 11 casualties, a lower toll than Spain's count.

EU Council: In a statement after an emergency videoconference, the Council endorsed the Spanish assessment that most illegal crossers had returned and that none had moved on to mainland Spain or other EU states.