Spanish authorities on Friday relocated thousands of migrants to a newly established temporary facility in the port of Ceuta, an operation that quickly descended into chaos as crowds surged and Civil Guard officers fired warning shots into the air.
The transfer began shortly after 6:30 am, with migrants gathered from the Trampolín and Benítez beaches and escorted on foot to the port area, roughly two kilometres away. Several patrols were deployed to manage the movement, but the situation soon became difficult to control.
As the first groups from Trampolín beach reached Benítez, they merged with migrants already there, swelling the numbers and prompting some to break into a run. Officers struggled to contain the crowd, and warning shots were fired to restore order.
The new port facility has capacity for around 1,800 people, but estimates suggest more than 4,000 migrants were moved from the two beaches. An exact figure will only be known once all transfers are completed and registrations are processed.
This is the fifth temporary reception space set up by the Spanish government to address the crisis that began in late July, when over 70,000 people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco. Many of the migrants had spent a month and a half living on the streets in precarious conditions, waiting for a place in one of the facilities.
Legal and security concerns
The port camp has been mired in controversy since its announcement. On Thursday, Spain's National Court rejected a request from the Unified Police Union (SUP) for an interim injunction that sought to halt the installation of tents at the port, which is considered critical infrastructure for the city.
Ana Alarcón, a spokesperson for SUP, told Antena 3 that “the port is not a safe place” and that “it is not a solution in terms of security.” She warned that if anything happens, “we are going to demand that people be held responsible.”
Alejandro Ramírez, vice-president of Ceuta, accused the government of improvising and said everything had been “done in a rush.” He noted that the number of incidents in the port had risen from 80 to more than 1,000 in 50 days, speaking to Onda Cero.
EU integration push
The relocation comes as Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares presented a package of measures to the Committee of Ministers this week aimed at moving towards the full integration of Ceuta and Melilla into the European Union. The plan, already outlined to the presidents of both autonomous cities, includes establishing permanent seats for Ceuta and Melilla in the European Committee of the Regions and increasing Frontex's presence in both territories, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
The government is also working to secure specific treatment for Ceuta and Melilla in the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework. These steps are part of a broader effort to anchor the two North African enclaves more firmly within the EU framework, a move that has sparked debate among member states and within the European Parliament, as seen in recent discussions on the matter.
The situation in Ceuta remains tense, with local authorities and police unions calling for more robust solutions. The new port camp, while intended to provide temporary relief, has become a flashpoint for broader questions about migration management and the security of critical infrastructure in the enclave.
