Ceuta is still struggling on Saturday to accommodate thousands of migrants: despite several clearances on Thursday and Friday, groups remain at the beach area of El Trampolín . According to the authorities and local media, many of those affected refuse to move to temporary facilities for fear of being returned to Morocco.
The situation was triggered by mass border crossings on the nights of 30 and 31 July. On 10 August, the central government reaffirmed the figure of 72,000 irregular arrivals. Most have since left the city; nevertheless, thousands remain in Ceuta or in temporary accommodation.
To ease the pressure, two additional reception sites have been set up: one in Loma Margarita and the Embolsamiento de Loma Colmenar. Transfers from El Trampolín to these facilities continued on 20 and 21 August. Nevertheless, emergency services report that many people return to the beach or never leave it in the first place. The Centro de Estancia Temporal de Extranjeros is at capacity, according to the city and state, while the CETI is used mainly for initial reception and identification.
Politically, the crisis is straining relations between Madrid and the city administration. Local representatives criticise the operational handling of the clearances and the availability of accommodation. The central government, by contrast, points to ongoing transfers, the registration of arrivals and legally mandated returns. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares had previously announced that all irregular arrivals should return to Morocco.
The humanitarian situation remains tense. Aid organisations and reports from the city describe precarious conditions for those most in need of protection, including women and minors. The need for basic medical care and weatherproof accommodation is considered urgent.
In the short term, the authorities are prioritising stabilising accommodation, maintaining public order and conducting lawful procedures to establish identity, access to asylum and possible returns. In the medium term, the focus is shifting to how border protection, cooperation with Morocco and the structural capacity of Ceuta and Spain’s system can be expanded. What happens next depends on further transfers, enforcement of residence rules and the effectiveness of coordination between the city and central government.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).