Hunger and hostility cited by migrants as reason for return to Morocco from Spain's Ceuta
Thousands of migrants are returning to Morocco from the Spanish exclave of Ceuta after facing harsh conditions and lack of opportunity. Spain has responded by reinforcing border barriers following a mass crossing that resulted in multiple fatalities.
Why it matters
The situation highlights the ongoing humanitarian and political challenges surrounding migration routes between North Africa and Europe.
The news comes as Spain announced it was erecting a 500-metre-long containment barrier on the sea border between its North African territory of Ceuta and neighbouring Morocco after more than 50,000 migrants breached the frontier earlier this week, with at least 67 dead.
Those heading back told Reuters they had initially been drawn by viral social media videos and messages from friends suggesting that the heavily guarded border could be breached.
But after reaching Ceuta, many said they found no way to continue onwards to mainland Spain.
"We came to make progress, not to be fooled," said Brahim, a bakery worker from Fez who left his job and crossed the border after watching clips of thousands doing the same. "I thought I'd build a better future there. But I was surprised in Ceuta."
Migrants die in mass border breach into Spain's Ceuta
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