The Spanish police began evacuating a large migrant camp on Trampolín beach in Ceuta on Sunday, aiming to clear the site after water tests showed dangerous levels of bacteria. That operation comes as the North African enclave faces severe strain following the arrival of over 72,000 border crossers from Morocco at the end of July, nos.nl and wnl.tv reported.
Police Evacuate Trampolín Beach Camp in Ceuta
National police forces in Ceuta launched an operation on Sunday to clear the makeshift tents on Trampolín beach, according to wnl.tv. A police spokesperson stated that the first phase of the migrant evacuation is currently underway. Authorities are transferring individuals from the coastline to temporary reception facilities. There, officials assess each person’s status to determine if they can return to Morocco, wnl.tv reported, citing the Spanish Ministry of Interior.
Approximately 3,000 people had been living on Trampolín beach alone, according to wnl.tv figures. That camp is part of a broader population left without formal housing after a temporary facility in the local port designed for 1,700 people reached full capacity, vietnam.vn noted. Consequently, more than 2,000 individuals were forced back onto the beaches, while others sought shelter in garages, abandoned vehicles, trucks, and on rooftops, vietnam.vn reported.
Bacterial Contamination Triggers Public Health Warnings
Health authorities in Ceuta issued a public health warning regarding Trampolín beach after laboratory tests revealed extremely high concentrations of enterococci and Escherichia coli in the coastal water. Water samples gathered on September 23, 25, and 28 all exceeded permitted limits for coastal waters, making exposure a health risk, according to vietnam.vn. The health report prompted increased urgency from local officials managing the overcrowded coastline.
The population pressure extends beyond adults. In late September, nearly 100 unaccompanied minors gathered on the beach to request placement in official reception centers rather than remaining on the streets, vietnam.vn reported. Meanwhile, the local union UGT-Ceuta called on authorities to allocate extra resources to maintain public services and ensure adequate working conditions for staff, according to vietnam.vn reporting.
Local Protests and Royal Visit Timing Add Political Tension
Local residents held a demonstration on Saturday demanding the departure of the migrants, wnl.tv reported, pointing to continuous local friction. The camp clearances also coincide with a sensitive political schedule. On October 13 and 14, Spanish King Felipe VI and Queen Letitia are scheduled to visit Ceuta and Melilla, marking the first visit by Felipe VI and Letitia to the exclaves, and the first visit by a monarch since King Juan Carlos I traveled there in 2007, nos.nl reported.
That royal itinerary has drawn scrutiny because figures within the Moroccan government recently claimed that Ceuta and Melilla belong to Morocco. nos.nl noted that while the royal visit risks being interpreted as a political statement, canceling it could signal a lack of support to local residents. Compounding the situation, Spanish parliamentary ombudsman Ángel Gabilondo is currently visiting Ceuta to assess the humanitarian conditions and the pressure on the local reception system, vietnam.vn stated.
Common Questions About the Ceuta Migrant Situation
How many people crossed the border into Ceuta?
End of July figures show over 72,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, though most subsequently returned, wnl.tv reported. At the time of the police operations, approximately 10,000 individuals remained in the enclave, with about 3,000 staying specifically on Trampolín beach.
Why are authorities clearing Trampolín beach now?
Police began the evacuations on Sunday, due to mounting public health risks and local tensions, according to wnl.tv and vietnam.vn. Water tests showed dangerous levels of enterococci and E. coli bacteria exceeding permitted limits, and local residents had staged protests demanding the camp’s removal.
Who is scheduled to visit Ceuta in October?
King Felipe VI and Queen Letitia are scheduled to visit Ceuta and Melilla on October 13 and 14, nos.nl reported. This marks the first royal visit to the Spanish North African exclaves since 2007.