During a firefighting the Ceuta City Fire Service operation on 24 September 2026, a makeshift camp was discovered in disused military tunnels beneath the city. According to emergency services, the tunnel system in question connects the beach area of El Sarchal with the Universidad de Granada campus in Ceuta. When they arrived, firefighters found mattresses, cooking utensils, food supplies and inflatable life rafts, as well as clear signs of a recent fire; no one was found there at the time.
Several media outlets report consistently that the tunnels were originally used by the military and that their entrances had been sealed for years. According to fire service reports, at least one wall was breached to gain access to the underground rooms. Estimates of possible capacity vary: some people on site spoke of “dozens” to “several hundred” places. No verified counts are available so far.
The Polizei has launched an investigation. Media reports say three people were arrested near the site, suspected of providing rooms or apartments to conceal migrants. Official sources confirmed the investigation, but initially gave no detailed information about the reasons for the arrests or the status of proceedings. What is known is that the investigations are looking both into the cause of the fire and into possible networks that may be profiting from the precarious situation of people seeking protection.
The discovery comes amid pressure on reception facilities in the Spanish enclave. Since a sharp rise in border crossings at the end of July 2026, authorities and aid organisations have recorded an increase in informal accommodation. Emergency services warn of significant risks in abandoned or unsecured facilities: poor ventilation, fire hazards, a lack of escape routes and hygiene risks. The discovery of the tunnel accommodation has revived debate about reception capacity, securing disused infrastructure and preventive inspections.
Figures for the current total number of people arriving in Ceuta and the use of underground spaces vary depending on the source. What can be verified is that the Ceuta City Fire Service discovered the camp while responding to a real fire alarm and that police launched an investigation immediately afterwards. Further official decisions on securing the entrances and possible criminal consequences are still pending.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).