It is unclear exactly why tens of thousands of migrants attempted to cross into Ceuta on Thursday and Friday last week.
The EU’s Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner has suggested criminal networks spreading disinformation were to blame – an assertion Sánchez has agreed with.
The crossings came after Spain’s Supreme Court ruled that migrants stopped at sea while trying to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be summarily returned to Morocco.
The two exclaves have long been a bone of diplomatic contention between Spain and Morocco, which does not recognise Spanish sovereignty over them.
The number of people swimming to Ceuta at once has raised questions about why Morocco’s border guards did not attempt to stop them. Vivas characterised the incident as an “unequivocal attack”.
“Our people feel sad, helpless, anxious, fearful and worried – and they have good reason to, because it is inevitable to wonder whether this will happen again,” he commented.
Spain’s interior minister has said he was working “firmly” with Morocco to avoid further “violations”, and that any migrants still in Ceuta would be returned there as soon as possible.
Brunner said the EU should use all the leverage at its disposal, including visa policy and trade, to secure co-operation from Morocco on migration.