Ceuta migrants: 294 arrested in Morocco, Le360 says

Scores of would-be migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, were intercepted on Saturday in northern Morocco near the border with the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, an AFP correspondent saw.

Local media outlet Le360 reported that 294 people were arrested, including 46 Moroccans and others from sub-Saharan Africa. An official with knowledge of the intervention told AFP on condition of anonymity that it was a routine operation aimed at preventing attempted irregular migration toward Ceuta.

The arrests came after Moroccan authorities announced measures on Wednesday to counter another potential influx toward Ceuta following online posts claiming the border would be open. Le360 and Hespress reported that authorities had arrested more than 60 people in recent days accused of inciting or promoting irregular migration on social media.

Forests near the border towns close to Ceuta and Melilla, another Spanish exclave farther east, are gathering points in summer for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa seeking to reach the territories.

Two weeks earlier, around 72,000 people, mostly Moroccans, crossed into Ceuta over a few days. The vast majority have since been returned to Morocco. Local authorities in Ceuta had said about 2,000 people, including about 1,000 unaccompanied minors, remained in the Spanish territory.

Moroccan authorities said they recovered the remains of 11 people who died in the chaos. Spain said at least 80 people died, while the Moroccan Association for Human Rights estimated the death toll at at least 141.