294 Migrants Arrested In Morocco Amid Fresh Ceuta Crossing Attempt

Moroccan security forces arrested 294 migrants trying to reach Spain’s Ceuta by land and sea, as Morocco and Spain tightened security after fresh calls on social media for another mass crossing. Moroccan state broadcaster Medi 1 TV said the migrants, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, were detained on Saturday. Sixty-one Moroccans were also arrested for allegedly helping the crossings.

The arrests came after posts on social media urged migrants to head toward Ceuta on August 15. The messages included false claims about the border opening. Morocco moved large numbers of police to the area, while Spain sent more than 500 additional officers and increased patrols. Water cannons, razor wire and other security measures were also deployed.

The latest attempt follows a huge migration surge in late July. More than 72,000 people entered Ceuta in just a few days, most of them later returning to Morocco. Ceuta has a population of about 80,000, putting major pressure on its services and shelters. Around 5,000 to 8,000 migrants are still there.

Hundreds of those who remain protested on Sunday at El Trampolín beach, asking Spain for asylum and saying they did not want to return to Morocco. Many migrants are living in poor conditions, while local health services are under heavy pressure. Some said they left their homes because of poverty, conflict or persecution.

The July crossing also became a deadly migration crisis. The death toll has been revised several times as bodies were recovered and identified. Reuters has reported 94 confirmed deaths, while other official counts have been lower and rights groups say the real figure may be higher.

Spanish border workers have also said authorities received six written warnings about rising arrivals and the growing role of social media before the July rush. They said their concerns were not acted on quickly enough. The Spanish government has defended its response.

Morocco has blamed misinformation and people-smuggling networks for helping fuel the earlier surge. More than 20,000 Moroccan security personnel are reportedly deployed around Ceuta each day. The new arrests show that both countries are now taking a much harder approach to prevent another mass crossing.