Migrants drink water and fill their bottles from a Spanish Army water truck at El Trampolín Beach in Ceuta, Spain, on August 2, 2026. (Photo: CFP)

Morocco is ready to cooperate with Spain and other European partners on the return of unaccompanied minors who are among the tens of thousands of migrants that crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, state news agency MAP reported on Thursday.

"Morocco has committed, in line with high royal instructions issued to the interior and foreign affairs ministries, to work towards identifying unaccompanied minors with a view to returning them to their homeland," MAP reported, citing a diplomatic source.

Spanish authorities say 72,000 migrants crossed during last week's influx, while Moroccan authorities said about 40,000 people were involved.

At least 1,100 unaccompanied minors remain in Ceuta. Some arrived during last week's large-scale crossing, while others were already in the enclave, according to local authorities.

The vast majority of the migrants who entered Ceuta have since returned to Morocco.

Unlike adults, minors cannot be immediately returned under existing procedures.