AI Image

Spanish police launch operation to clear Ceuta migrants off beach

Reuters • September 18, 2026 • world

Key Points:

Spanish riot police and military began an operation on Friday to clear thousands of migrants from Ceuta's beaches, using rubber bullets and batons to manage crowd control during the process.
Authorities have constructed temporary housing within the enclave's port to accommodate 1,700 adult men, but thousands of migrants remain unhoused and are sleeping in makeshift camps.
The operation involved moving mostly adult men along a designated route from El Trampolin beach to the port, while minors are being separated and housed separately due to housing capacity limits.
NGOs criticized the authorities for being slow to provide adequate shelter as required under the European migration pact, noting that current reception centers cannot accommodate all migrants still living on the streets.
An estimated 4,000 migrants remain outdoors in Ceuta, and officials may be relying on voluntary returns to Morocco to reduce the number of people in public areas.

Trending Business