In a tragic attempt to reach Europe, dozens of Moroccans died trying to cross into Spain. Ayoub Akbili, Hamza Haibouri, and Abdelouahed Iken were among them, driven by dreams of a better life. They believed false rumors that the border was open. In late July, tens of thousands of Moroccans and other migrants headed to Ceuta, a Spanish city on the North African coast. At least 90 people died in the attempt. Social media rumors and human smuggling networks have been blamed. Moroccan authorities have increased border security. Families of the deceased face high costs to repatriate their loved ones' bodies.

Spain has installed a 500-meter containment barrier on the sea border between its North African territory of Ceuta and Morocco. This follows a massive breach where 50,000 to 60,000 migrants crossed the frontier between Thursday and Friday. At least 67 migrants died in the journey. Some drowned or were killed in a stampede. On Saturday, some migrants who swam to Ceuta were escorted back by soldiers. Spain's interior ministry says most have returned to Morocco. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska emphasized cooperation with Morocco in resolving the situation. Ceuta's President Juan Jesús Vivas noted the city remains unsettled.