Denmark’s public broadcaster DR has examined social media posts urging migrants to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on August 15, and found no clear surge in activity ahead of the date.
The fact-checking unit DR Verificerer published its findings on Thursday. It reviewed migrant-focused Facebook groups and TikTok content in which the date August 15 is presented as a day the border to Ceuta will open, DR reports. That claim is false, according to the broadcaster.
DR found nothing in its research indicating that activity in these groups has risen notably this week. At the same time, the date has been shared repeatedly over recent weeks. In the Facebook group Haraga_maroc, which has more than 45,000 members, a user with an AI-generated profile picture posted an image dated 15/08/2026 on August 10.
Other dates have circulated in the same groups, including August 5 and other days in July and August. DR notes that the groups have also carried AI-generated images of European passports, sales posts for flippers and diving suits, and WhatsApp contact numbers for over a year.
Frontex, the European border and coast guard agency, told DR it is aware of the reports and discussions about a possible increase in crossing attempts on August 15. The agency said it is monitoring developments and the information spreading online. Frontex warned against treating specific dates or online claims as confirmed indications of future events.
Spanish authorities monitoring the posts
DR reports that the Spanish military police stated on social media on Tuesday, in Spanish and French, that the borders are and remain closed. CBS News says it reviewed dozens of Facebook posts referring to an August 15 crossing plan. A spokesperson for the Spanish Interior Ministry told CBS News that the National Police and Civil Guard are monitoring social media to gather information for decisions based on the threat level.
The Spanish fact-checking outlet Maldita.es reported on August 10 that a message falsely claimed Spain had announced a temporary border opening on that date. The Spanish government told Maldita.es this was not correct. Per the same outlet, the government said the crossings at Ceuta and Melilla are normally open around the clock, but do not allow uncontrolled passage.
Atalayar reported on August 12 that Morocco and Spain had tightened security around Ceuta and Melilla in response to the online calls. DR studied a satellite image from August 11 of the border area where large groups entered the enclave on July 30 and 31. It shows tents and vehicles on the Moroccan side, but no extraordinary concentration of guards.
According to authorities cited by DR, at least 80 people died during the crossings at the end of July. DR also reports that Meta and TikTok have agreed with the EU to strengthen fact-checking of content about the Ceuta border. That was announced on August 10 by Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s executive vice president for security, democracy and tech sovereignty.
