Spain says about 70,000 of the 72,000 people who entered the North African territory of Ceuta illegally last week have been returned to Morocco. The European Union has commended Spain's swift response to the crisis.
The mass crossing was sparked by runaway online rumours, according to a detailed account of the events. It began with Instagram posts suggesting that Spain's border with Morocco was opening up. Facebook users then began tracking coastguard patrols, and TikTok videos showed 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 Ceuta. Packed buses rolled into the neighbouring Moroccan city of Fnideq, and regional trains filled with people making their way to the frontier. The influx overwhelmed Spanish authorities, who worked to return the migrants to Morocco.