Spanish authorities remove migrants camped on Ceuta beaches

Authorities in Ceuta conducted operations to remove migrants from beaches in the North African Spanish enclave, part of ongoing efforts to manage a humanitarian situation that has persisted since July when tens of thousands breached border fencing.

According to officials, approximately 10,000 migrants remain in Ceuta from the estimated 72,000 who crossed from Morocco during the earlier surge. The remaining population has created makeshift settlements across the enclave, including on coastal areas where authorities have now begun clearing operations.

The beach removals represent the latest step in Ceuta's attempt to address overcrowding and unsanitary conditions created by the unprecedented influx. Spanish authorities have faced criticism over handling of the migrant crisis, with international organizations expressing concern about living conditions in the enclave.

Ceuta, a Spanish territory on the Moroccan coast with a population of around 80,000, has struggled to accommodate the influx, which temporarily doubled its population at the height of the crisis. Officials have indicated that processing and relocating remaining migrants remains a priority, though logistical and diplomatic challenges continue to complicate resolution efforts.