# Wednesday briefing: How misinformation and a hardened immigration policy turned Ceuta into Europe’s latest flashpoint

https://mins.news/en/item/13723

- The Guardian, 2026-08-05 05:54 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/05/wednesday-briefing-how-misinformation-and-a-hardened-immigration-policy-turned-ceuta-into-europes-latest-flashpoint

> Images, rumours and rightwing political opportunism quickly overshadowed the facts surrounding last week’s events in Ceuta. An estimated 72,000 migrants began crossing into the small Spanish enclave from Morocco, but most returned home within 24 hours. Local officials said at least 88 people died while attempting the crossing. EU interior ministers held an emergency meeting and said the passport-free Schengen area had not been endangered by the arrival. Much coverage nevertheless portrayed the episode as a territorial threat to Europe, prompting demands for tighter border security.

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