By the time authorities reacted, an estimated 60,000 people had reached Ceuta in just a few days, the largest migration surge between Morocco and Spain in years.

Morocco is blaming a massive surge of migrants​ into Ceuta on various factors, including "malicious exploitation of digital platforms" and the spread of misleading information.

Spain reports 72 deaths as the Ceuta migrant crisis deepens, with intelligence officials saying Morocco allowed border controls to gradually relax.

An estimated 60,000 people from Morocco crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on the African side of the Strait of Gibraltar, in an unprecedented mass movement last week. At least 72 people died during the attempt.

The Moroccan government has said social media misinformation and human traffickers are behind the mass crossing of migrants into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. The Interior Ministry said the crossings

Thousands of migrants have entered the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco, with at least 18 dying in the attempt, prompting local officials to seek help from Spain's national government.

While good weather in the summer usually brings a surge in migrant crossings by sea, Ceuta authorities said the current number of swimmers is unusual.

More ⁠must be done ⁠to strengthen the European Union's ​borders at critical points, European Commission ‌President Ursula von ‌der Leyen told Spanish ⁠Prime ⁠Minister Pedro Sanchez in a letter seen ​by Reuters.