Spain Launches Operation to Clear Thousands of Migrants from Ceuta Beaches

MADRID: Spanish riot police and military forces on Friday launched an operation to remove thousands of migrants from beaches in the North African enclave of Ceuta and relocate some of them to newly established temporary accommodation.

The operation began shortly before 7 a.m. local time and involved riot police and the Spanish military. Authorities estimate that around 10,000 migrants remain in Ceuta after more than 72,000 people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish territory during an unprecedented influx in late July.

Spanish authorities have constructed temporary accommodation at the enclave’s port with capacity for about 1,700 adult men. However, humanitarian organisations said thousands of migrants remain without shelter and have been sleeping in makeshift camps on beaches and public areas.

Tensions emerged as migrants competed for the limited spaces available in temporary accommodation. Footage broadcast by Spanish state television showed crowding and clashes, after which police fired rubber bullets into the air and used batons before the situation calmed and the operation resumed.

Later, groups of predominantly adult male migrants were escorted by police along a route of about one kilometre from El Trampolin beach to the port. Authorities are separating minors from adults because the newly established accommodation is intended only for adult men.

Non-governmental organisations criticised the authorities for what they described as a slow response to the humanitarian situation. One NGO estimated that around 4,000 migrants remained outdoors on beaches and pavements, while other aid officials said existing reception facilities were insufficient to accommodate everyone still without shelter.

The latest operation follows the mass arrival in July, when more than 70,000 migrants entered Ceuta within a 24-hour period. Reuters previously reported that the influx resulted in at least 94 confirmed deaths, mostly from drownings, according to Spanish and Moroccan authorities.