Viral Image of Tunnels for Migrants in Ceuta is AI-Generated and False
Did Spain's Guardia Civil find new tunnels in Ceuta used by migrants to enter Spain?
False
The viral image and caption claiming that Guardia Civil found "new tunnels" in Ceuta used for migrant entry are false: the photo has been identified as AI-generated and authorities/fact-checkers report no evidence that such tunnels were used to bring migrants into Ceuta.
AI-generatedClaims
✕ 2 falseLa Guardia Civil ha encontrado en Ceuta nuevos túneles por donde "no paraban de entrar inmigrantes".
Multiple independent fact-checkers and local authorities say there is no evidence that tunnels have been found and used to bring migrants into Ceuta. The Guardia Civil has denied publishing or confirming such a discovery and fact-check outlets report no official corroboration that tunnels were used for migrant entry; reported subterranean galleries found by local services do not connect with Morocco.
La foto que muestra a un agente de la Guardia Civil entrando en un túnel en Ceuta es una imagen real y no manipulada.
Image-analysis and reporting (Newtral and local outlets) identify the viral photo as synthetic/AI-generated (detectors report SynthID/watermark traces) and note uniform inconsistencies; the Guardia Civil has denied publishing the image or confirming it as genuine.
What was posted
FacebookDid Spain's Guardia Civil find new tunnels in Ceuta used by migrants to enter Spain?
The media
ImageSynthetic-media detector
Detector ranThe claim stands or falls on whether the media is real, so the detector ran.
Scores are the detector’s estimate for the file as uploaded. A low score does not rule out editing, a spliced caption, or footage shown out of context — those are judged above. Model v3.
Sources
5 sources reviewed- 1Esta foto de la Guardia Civil entrando en un túnel en Ceuta es IA ↗
Newtral · newtral.esPrimary / fact-checkerIFCN + EFCSN; Spain
“Newtral reports the viral photo is AI-generated (SynthID detected) and the Guardia Civil denies having published the image or confirming tunnels used for migrant entry.”
- 2La verdad sobre los supuestos túneles por los que entraban inmigrantes a Ceuta ↗
El Faro de Ceuta · elfarodeceuta.esUntiereduntiered — treated as signal only, never decisive
“Local reporting: the Guardia Civil denies the viral claim and fact-checkers say the image is generated with AI; reported subterranean galleries do not connect with Morocco and are not confirmed as migration routes.”
- 3Nada prueba la existencia de túneles para cruzar ilegalmente a Ceuta ↗
EFE Verifica · verifica.efe.comPrimary / fact-checkerIFCN; Spanish wire desk
“EFE Verifica finds no evidence that migrants crossed from Morocco to Ceuta through tunnels; cited videos were filmed in Morocco and police reports about narcotunnels do not mention migrant transport.”
- 4Cuidado con esta imagen que afirma que la Guardia Civil ha encontrado "nuevos túneles" por los que "no paraban de entrar inmigrantes": está generada con IA ↗
Maldita.es · maldita.esPrimary / fact-checkerIFCN + EFCSN; Spain
“Maldita.es flags the viral image as AI-generated and provides context about misinformation around tunnels and the Ceuta migration episode.”
- 5Los Bomberos de Ceuta descubren un asentamiento insalubre de inmigrantes en galerías subterráneas del Sarchal ↗
Euronews · es.euronews.comReputable outletCenter — VERIFY editorial independence
“Reporting that emergency services found people sheltering in old galleries under parts of Ceuta, while authorities clarify these do not connect with Morocco and do not constitute cross-border tunnels.”
The full story
Bias
Leans anti-immigration / political (group context: 'PEDRO SÁNCHEZ, DIMISIÓN'). The post appears in a politically charged Facebook group and uses alarmist wording and imagery to suggest a security failure and migrant infiltration, which pushes a negative narrative about migrants and authorities.
Bias describes how the post frames its message — the slant of the language, selection and emphasis — and is judged separately from whether the claim is true. A true claim can still be framed with a strong slant.
How we checked
1 min 10 s✓ Claim checked✓ Media checked✓ Sources checked
Why 87% confidence
HighHigh confidence from independent corroboration.
About this check
- Platform
- Where it spread
- Spain
- Language
- ES
- Status
- ● Post is live
- Verified
- September 29, 2026, 10:15 UTC
- Published
- September 29, 2026, 10:15 UTC
Reach. Same image posted in several Facebook groups; no counts published
This verdict was generated with AI from the sources shown. AI can make mistakes — check the sources before relying on it.
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