The large-scale attempted crossing on Sunday came after authorities confirmed they had arrested at least 60 people last week over a social media campaign that was designed to incite migrants into making a mass crossing.
The social media movement, which led to an increased police presence in the border region, saw Sept 15 being described as ‘The Promised Day’ and the ‘Great Escape’.
Dozens were detained on suspicion of “fabricating and disseminating false information” on TikTok and Instagram. Messages posted on the platforms urged young Moroccans to gather in Fnideq and then attempt to cross into Ceuta via the El Tarajal border.
‘Heaviest security deployment’ ever in Fnideq
Despite the arrests, Sunday’s mass crossing attempt still prompted the “heaviest security deployment” ever experienced in Fnideq, according to Mohammed Ben Aissa, a local human rights activist.
But despite the increased police presence and several failed attempts, many migrants remain undeterred and have vowed to keep on trying to cross into the Spanish city.
“They do this deliberately to scare and keep us from trying again. But it won’t stop us. We’ll keep coming back as many times as needed,” one failed migrant told La Sexta, a Spanish TV channel.
Similar attempts to cross the eight-kilometre Ceuta border into Spain occurred in August when hundreds of young Moroccan men tried to swim past immigration authorities. At least 11,300 attempts to cross into Ceuta were blocked in August, according to Moroccan authorities.
Earlier this summer, Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish prime minister, visited Mauritania, Senegal, and Gambia, three countries where migrants often start their journeys to Spain.
Mr Sanchez has spoken of the need to achieve better cooperation on migration with African countries owing to the increasing number of migrants attempting to cross the border in Ceuta and Melilla, as well as the Canary Islands, where arrivals have also soared.
Figures show that the number of migrants arriving in the Canary Islands increased by 160 per cent between January and July 15 compared with a year ago, totalling almost 20,000 people.