A court ruling was misunderstood, while social media amplified seductive images and fabricated claims, turning a dangerous journey into a rapidly escalating tragedy.
Based on data from Reuters
Last week, the flow of migrants to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta began as a small trickle that quickly grew into a massive wave.
Encouraged by several viral videos, including clips from a Spanish news outlet that sought to highlight migration pressure, the movement of several dozen young people quickly turned into a mass wave as thousands of people swam toward Ceuta.
More than 80 people were killed or crushed in the stampede during the crossing, according to official figures.
The catalyst was a ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court three weeks ago stating that migrants intercepted at sea cannot be immediately returned from Ceuta and Melilla. The ruling does not prohibit their return at a later date, according to legal experts.
Ceuta has long attracted migrants who dream of a life in Europe. However, misinterpretations of the ruling – including the belief that anyone who reaches Ceuta by sea or land cannot be returned – have encouraged more and more people to try their luck.
“Never believe anyone who says that if you reach Ceuta, they will send you back. You will not be sent back.”
– A young Moroccan man, recorded on a street in Germany
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