Social Media Disinformation Drove 60,000 Into Ceuta, Leaving 67 Dead

An estimated 60,000 people, mostly young Moroccan men, crossed from Morocco into Spain's enclave of Ceuta in late July 2026; at least 67 died. The surge was fuelled by viral social media posts falsely claiming 'Spain is Open,' spread through accounts active for only weeks with tens of thousands of likes. Those who reached Ceuta found no food, shelter, or route onward — most turned back.