Spain Investigates Ceuta Migrant Influx, Sánchez Cites Disinformation
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez states Russia and Israel spread false information regarding the crisis.
AI-assisted coverage comparison, editor-supervised · How this was made
The vast majority of migrants soon returned to Morocco, but at present, as many as 5,000 remain in Ceuta, many of them unaccompanied minors
Photograph: Merco Press (embedded from source)
What this story says
- Spain is investigating the causes of a large migrant influx into the enclave of Ceuta.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Russia and Israel spread disinformation about the crisis.
- Around 5,000 migrants, many unaccompanied minors, remain in Ceuta.
- Morocco has been exempted from responsibility for the event.
Who covered it
Percentages are shares of the 16 outlets carrying a published leaning rating. 28 of the 44 outlets we know ran this story carry no rating and are not counted in them. Coverage measured .
Trust
30/100
Craft
50/100
Hype
41/100
44 sources · methodology
Thin on the left so far
Only 1 of the 16 outlets with a published leaning rating that ran this story are rated left.
This story is still being watched, so it is a count and not yet a finding. Coverage keeps arriving for hours after an event, and a side that has published nothing this morning may publish by tonight. If it is still true when we stop checking, we will say so plainly.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the government continues to investigate the causes of a significant migrant influx into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The event, which occurred in late July, saw approximately 70,000 migrants cross from Morocco into Ceuta over two days. While the majority have since returned to Morocco, around 5,000 migrants remain in the enclave, many of whom are unaccompanied minors.
Sánchez stated that Russia and Israel were involved in spreading disinformation regarding the migrant surge. He specifically mentioned that false information suggested it was impossible to refuse migrants entry into the autonomous city, which he refuted. The Prime Minister also exempted Morocco from any responsibility for the crisis, highlighting ongoing cooperation between the two countries.
Disagreement on the number of migrants
Reports differ on the total number of migrants who crossed into Ceuta. Merco Press states around 72,000 people entered from Morocco over two days. 20minutos reports the entry of 80,000 people. Other reports mention approximately 70,000 migrants.
What the coverage left out
None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports mention the specific figure of 70,000 migrants crossing into Ceuta over two days, as stated in the verified claims. The Merco Press report, rated left, is the only one to provide a figure for the total number of people who entered, stating 'around 72,000 people'.
Still developing. We have re-checked which outlets are covering this 1 time, most recently on 31 Aug 2026, 09:15, and will add the sides that appear.
How each side covered it
Our own reading of the reporting listed below, written from the outlets’ articles rather than quoted from them. The reasoning is set out on our methodology page.
Left
1 rated outlet
- The left-rated report from Merco Press focused on the humanitarian crisis and the role of migrant workers in Europe's food supply chains. It highlighted that anti-migrant rhetoric from right-wing politicians, including Spain's Vox party and Italy's Giorgia Meloni, inflames racism and xenophobia. The report argued that harsh migratory policies harm national economies and productivity, and that migrants are essential to Spain's agricultural industry, which is worth an annual 43.9 billion Euros. It also noted that one out of every four fresh fruits consumed in Europe is produced in Spain, a statistic made possible by migrant farmworkers.
Centre
8 rated outlets
- Centre-rated reports focused on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's statements regarding the investigation and his accusations against Russia and Israel. Multiple reports highlighted Sánchez's claim that these countries spread disinformation about the migrant influx. Several also noted that Spain continues to investigate the causes of the crisis and that Morocco has been exempted from responsibility. Some reports mentioned the presence of unaccompanied minors among the remaining migrants.
Right
7 rated outlets
- Right-rated reports also centred on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's accusations that Russia and Israel exploited the Ceuta crisis by spreading disinformation. Headlines in these reports frequently stated it was 'obvious' that these countries were involved. Some reports noted that the Spanish government is continuing its investigation into the causes of the migrant influx, while others focused on Sánchez's dismissal of Morocco's participation.
Questions about this coverage
- How did the left and right cover Spain Investigates Ceuta Migrant Influx, Sánchez Cites Disinformation?
- Of the 16 outlets on this story carrying a published leaning rating, 6% are rated left, 50% are rated centre, 44% are rated right. Those percentages are shares of the rated outlets, not of every outlet that ran it, which was 44. The sections above set out what each side emphasised, in its own terms.
- Is Spain Investigates Ceuta Migrant Influx, Sánchez Cites Disinformation left or right?
- Neither side dominates it. Of the 16 rated outlets on this story, 6% are rated left, 50% are rated centre, 44% are rated right, and no side holds the 70% this site would want before calling a field one-sided. A story is not left or right in any case; the outlets that carried it are what carry ratings.
- Is the coverage of Spain Investigates Ceuta Migrant Influx, Sánchez Cites Disinformation biased?
- Spain Investigates Ceuta Migrant Influx, Sánchez Cites Disinformation is one event reported by 44 outlets, and this page does not rate the story as biased or unbiased. What it publishes is the spread: which outlets ran it, where named rating organisations place each of them on the spectrum, and what each side chose to lead with. A leaning rating describes an outlet's record over time, not this article, and the two should not be run together.
- Which side is not reporting Spain Investigates Ceuta Migrant Influx, Sánchez Cites Disinformation?
- When we first saw this story, outlets rated left had barely covered it. Coverage accretes for hours after an event, so that is where to look rather than a verdict — the split above is the current count, and it is the one to read.
- Which outlets covered Spain Investigates Ceuta Migrant Influx, Sánchez Cites Disinformation?
- 44 that we know of, every one of them listed further up this page with a link to its own report and to what we hold on the publisher. Nothing here is a summary of somebody else's summary: the outlets are named so the original reporting can be read.
- What caused the migrant influx into Ceuta?
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Russia and Israel spread disinformation about the crisis, suggesting it was impossible to refuse migrants entry. Spain is continuing its investigation into the causes of the influx.
- How many migrants remain in Ceuta?
- Approximately 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta. Many of these are unaccompanied minors who are in an uncertain legal and political situation.
- What role did Morocco play in the crisis?
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has exempted Morocco from any responsibility for the migrant influx into Ceuta, highlighting ongoing cooperation between the two countries.
Read it at the source
44 outlets, grouped by the leaning a published rating gives them. Every headline links to the original; an underlined outlet name opens our profile of that publisher.
Left
1Centre
8- Spain rules out Morocco role in Ceuta migrant surge (opens RTÉ in a new tab)
- Ceuta: Pedro Sanchez Declares that Russia and Israel Have Fueled Disinformation (opens France24 in a new tab)
- Pedro Sanchez: Obvious that Israel and Russia Exploited Ceuta Crisis (opens Ekstra Bladet in a new tab)
Ekstra Bladet — is Ekstra Bladet biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Immigration. Ceuta: Spain "Continues to Investigate" the Causes of the Influx of Migrants (opens leprogres.fr in a new tab)
leprogres.fr — is leprogres.fr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Sanchez, 'Russian and Israeli Networks Have Leaked False News About Ceuta' (opens ANSA in a new tab)
- Spain Accuses Russia and Israel of Spreading Lies (opens yle in a new tab)
- Sánchez Exonerates Morocco From the Ceuta Crisis, Points to Russia and Israel and Says the CNI Did Not Report Its "Gravity" (opens 20minutos in a new tab)
- Afflux of Migrants in Ceuta: Spain "Continues to Investigate" the Causes, Russia, Israel and the Ultra-Right Fingered (opens Sud Ouest in a new tab)
Right
7- Pedro Sánchez Blames Russian and Israeli Misinformation Networks for the Crisis in Ceuta and Admits a Rendition in 2027 (opens Observador in a new tab)
Observador — is Observador biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Spain's Sanchez: It's Clear that Israel and Russia Exploited Ceuta Crisis (opens BT in a new tab)
- Spain's Sanchez: It's Clear that Israel and Russia Exploited Ceuta Crisis (opens berlingske.dk in a new tab)
berlingske.dk — is berlingske.dk biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Herrera Puts the Spotlight on Ceuta a Month Later: "If Someone in Morocco Gets the Cable Crossed Again Tomorrow, Do We Have a Way to Avoid It?" (opens ESdiario in a new tab)
- Madrid Continues Investigation Into Migrant Influx - Government Speaks of Spreading Rumors and Misinformation - iefimerida.gr (opens Iefimerida in a new tab)
Iefimerida — is Iefimerida biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Spanias Statsminister Sier Israel Og Russia Spred Desinformasjon Om Ceuta (opens Aftenposten in a new tab)
Aftenposten — is Aftenposten biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Sánchez Dismisses Morocco’s Participation in the Invasion of Ceuta and Points to Russia and Israel (opens La Razón in a new tab)
Not rated
28- Spanish Prime Minister: Russia and Israel Are Spreading Disinformation (opens VG in a new tab)
- Pedro Sánchez Blames Russia and Israel for the Migration Crisis in Ceuta (opens IOL Portugal in a new tab)
IOL Portugal — is IOL Portugal biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Ceuta: Madrid "Continues Investigation" Into the Causes of the Influx of Migrants (opens sigmalive.com in a new tab)
sigmalive.com — is sigmalive.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Spain Claims Russia and Israel Lured Migrants to Ceuta (opens dnevnik.bg in a new tab)
dnevnik.bg — is dnevnik.bg biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Sanchez Says Investigation Into Causes of Migrant Influx in Ceuta Continues (opens CNN Greece in a new tab)
CNN Greece — is CNN Greece biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Sánchez Exonerates Morocco in Ceuta and Points to “Bulles” From Israel and Russia (opens naiz: in a new tab)
- Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez: ‘EU Investigation Suggests that Disinformation About the Crisis in Ceuta Was Spread by Russia and Israel’ (opens bndestem.nl in a new tab)
bndestem.nl — is bndestem.nl biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez: ‘EU Investigation Suggests that Disinformation About the Crisis in Ceuta Was Spread by Russia and Israel’ (opens ed.nl in a new tab)
Show 20 more
- Sánchez Points to Russian and Israeli Networks as Diffusers of Bulls that Encouraged Massive Entry Into Ceuta (opens El Faro de Ceuta in a new tab)
El Faro de Ceuta — is El Faro de Ceuta biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Spain's Sanchez: It's Clear that Israel and Russia Exploited Ceuta Crisis (opens avisendanmark.dk in a new tab)
avisendanmark.dk — is avisendanmark.dk biased? Our profile of this outletOpinion
- Immigration. Ceuta: Spain "Continues to Investigate" the Causes of the Influx of Migrants (opens lejsl.com in a new tab)
- Immigration. Ceuta: Spain "Continues to Investigate" the Causes of the Influx of Migrants (opens vosgesmatin.fr in a new tab)
vosgesmatin.fr — is vosgesmatin.fr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Immigration. Ceuta: Spain "Continues to Investigate" the Causes of the Influx of Migrants (opens republicain-lorrain.fr in a new tab)
republicain-lorrain.fr — is republicain-lorrain.fr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Immigration. Ceuta: Spain "Continues to Investigate" the Causes of the Influx of Migrants (opens bienpublic.com in a new tab)
bienpublic.com — is bienpublic.com biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Spain's Sanchez: It's Clear that Israel and Russia Exploited Ceuta Crisis (opens Kristeligt Dagblad in a new tab)
Kristeligt Dagblad — is Kristeligt Dagblad biased? Our profile of this outlet
- "Israel and Russia Spread False Information About the Migrant Crisis" (opens Unknown in a new tab)
Unknown
- Sanchez: "The Investigation Into the Influx of Migrants in Ceuta Continues" (opens insider.gr in a new tab)
insider.gr — is insider.gr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Sanchez, "Russian and Israeli Networks Have Spread False News About Ceuta" (opens gazzettadelsud.it in a new tab)
gazzettadelsud.it — is gazzettadelsud.it biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Sanchez Denounces "False Information" From the Far Right About the Crisis in Ceuta (opens ΑΘΗΝΑ 9,84 in a new tab)
ΑΘΗΝΑ 9,84 — is ΑΘΗΝΑ 9,84 biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Spanish Prime Minister Points to Russia's Involvement in Migration Crisis in CEUTA (opens Unknown in a new tab)
Unknown
- Spain: Madrid "Continues Investigation" Into the Causes of the Influx of Migrants in Ceuta (opens sofokleousin.gr in a new tab)
sofokleousin.gr — is sofokleousin.gr biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Situation Remains Tense: 5,000 to 10,000 Illegal Migrants Still in Ceuta (opens rtl.lu in a new tab)
- Sánchez Dismisses Morocco’s Involvement in the Ceuta Crisis, but Points to Israel and Russia (opens infoLibre in a new tab)
- Spanish PM Blames Far-Right, Russia-Israeli Networks for Ceuta Crisis (opens lrytas.lt in a new tab)
- Spanish PM: Israel and Russia Spread False Information Regarding the Migrant Crisis in Ceuta (opens haaretz.co.il in a new tab)
haaretz.co.il — is haaretz.co.il biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Spain PM says Ceuta migrant surge inquiry continues, far-right behind 'fake' information (opens Insider Paper in a new tab)
Insider Paper — is Insider Paper biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Sánchez Attributes Ceuta's Crisis to "Criminal Networks" and Dismisses Morocco's Involvement (opens Catalunyapress in a new tab)
Catalunyapress — is Catalunyapress biased? Our profile of this outlet
- Sánchez Attributes the Ceuta Crisis to "Criminal Networks" and Rules Out Morocco's Involvement (opens Catalunyapress in a new tab)
Catalunyapress
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