Ceuta remains under intense pressure as thousands of unaccompanied children remain stranded in the Spanish enclave.
Meanwhile, police are investigating the alleged rape of a young girl and intelligence services warn that another mass crossing is already being organised online.
Spanish authorities say around 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta following the unprecedented influx from Morocco on July 30, when around 72,000 people flooded into the border, many by swimming around the Tarajal breakwater.
The tragedy has so far claimed 141 lives, with authorities still searching for bodies lost at sea.
Intelligence warns of fresh mass crossing
Spain’s National Intelligence Centre (CNI) believes there is a credible threat of another mass attempt to enter Ceuta.
According to Cadena SER, intelligence officers have spent days monitoring Facebook, WhatsApp and TikTok, where new messages have been circulating encouraging migrants to make another crossing despite last week’s deadly tragedy.
The posts reportedly call for a new mass attempt on August 15, although intelligence sources believe organisers could try to bring the date forward after the plans received widespread media attention.
Officials say the new campaign is even more intense than the one that preceded the July 30 crossing, with many messages spreading rumours and false claims about supposed weaknesses in border security.
Spain’s Interior Ministry insists it is prepared for any new attempt, saying all necessary resources are in place along the Ceuta border.
Security forces are also relying on Morocco to prevent another mass crossing by carrying out roadblocks and police checks around the nearby city of Fnideq (Castillejos) before migrants reach the coast.
Officials believe Rabat is unlikely to want a repeat of the international criticism it faced after more than 72,000 people crossed into Spain during the previous crisis.
Thousands of children remain in Ceuta
The humanitarian situation also remains critical.
More than 5,000 unaccompanied migrant children are still believed to be in Ceuta, far exceeding the city’s reception capacity.
Aid organisations say many continue sleeping outdoors or in makeshift shelters, with charities struggling to provide sufficient food, water and protection.
The situation has sparked a political row over plans to redistribute the children across Spain, with several regional governments arguing their reception centres are already full.
Girl allegedly raped
Meanwhile, police are investigating the alleged rape of a migrant girl inside the Spanish enclave.
The reported attack has added to concerns raised by humanitarian organisations, which have repeatedly warned that women and children are especially vulnerable during the ongoing crisis.
Charities, including Save the Children, have called for separate accommodation for girls and specialist staff to identify victims of sexual violence, trafficking and exploitation as thousands remain stranded in overcrowded emergency conditions.
