Unrest erupted in Ceuta when hundreds of migrants were escorted to a newly opened port reception centre that can hold about 1,800 people. Media said parts of the crowd ran to secure places, forcing police to call in extra officers. Provisional beach camps had been sheltering an estimated 3,000–4,000 people after mass crossings from Morocco on July 30–31, when authorities say up to 80,000 entered Ceuta. The new facility — the fifth temporary camp — aims to ease pressure on the city and improve registration and care for those remaining.
Unrest in Ceuta as Hundreds of Migrants Rush Into New Port Reception Centre
The Civil Guard is organizing migrants for their transfer to the Port of Ceuta. The State Security Forces have begun transferring migrants currently on the beaches of Trampolín and Benítez to the port facilities. (is associated with: «Unrest as Ceuta migrants moved to new reception centre») Gabriela Sardá Núñez/EUROPA PRESS/dpa
Unrest broke out in the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta on Friday as authorities moved hundreds of migrants to a newly opened reception centre at the port, Spanish media reported.
State broadcaster RTVE and other outlets said police escorted the migrants on foot for roughly two kilometres to the port in the early morning. Parts of the crowd initially walked and later broke into a run, reportedly attempting to secure places inside the new facility as quickly as possible. Police called in extra officers to regain control of the situation.
Centre, Capacity and Camp Conditions
The port reception centre has capacity for about 1,800 people. By contrast, provisional beach camps at Trampolín and Benítez were sheltering an estimated 3,000–4,000 migrants, contributing to overcrowding and tensions during the transfer.
Background
The transfer follows mass crossings on July 30 and 31, when Spanish authorities estimate that up to 80,000 migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco. While most subsequently returned to Morocco, thousands remain in the enclave. The port facility is the fifth temporary reception camp set up in Ceuta and is intended to ease pressure on the city and speed up registration and care for arrivals.
Humanitarian Concerns and Authorities' Response
Many migrants have spent roughly a month and a half living in provisional camps or on the streets in difficult conditions. Authorities say the new centre will help with identification, registration and basic assistance, but the scale of arrivals and overcrowding present ongoing logistical and humanitarian challenges for local and national officials.
Key facts: the escorted transfer covered around two kilometres on foot; the move began before dawn; security forces accompanied large crowds from makeshift beach camps; extra police were deployed after parts of the crowd ran towards the centre.
Help us improve.
