In the Spanish exclave of Ceuta on the morning of 18 September, the transfer of people from beach camps at Playa Benítez and in El Trampolín to a temporary reception centre in the Puerto de Ceuta began, accompanied by security forces. According to consistent reports from official and media sources, the transfer started at around 07:00 local time. There was crowding, a few isolated attempts to flee and brief police interventions. Officers from the Policía Nacional and the Guardia Civil put up barriers and cleared passageways; several reports said warning shots were fired into the air to calm the situation.
The government cites the legal and administrative framework of recent weeks to justify the measure. This includes the decree published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado on 25 August 2026, declaring the city a situation of interest for national security and permitting parts of the port area to be used for temporary accommodation. According to judicial sources, the Audiencia Nacional did not block emergency applications against the transfer; the authorities regarded this as a prerequisite for starting the operation.
Capacity at the Puerto de Ceuta is limited for now. According to the government, the first module of the temporary centre has around 1,700 to 1,800 places. At the same time, thousands of people were still staying in the beach camps when the operation began. The exact number affected is to be established during registration at the port. Security forces deployed additional personnel and equipment; local media reported the use of drones to monitor the situation.
The operation is politically controversial. The central government described it as necessary and largely orderly, citing the protection of public safety and health. Opposition parties criticised its preparation and execution as chaotic. Local authority representatives warned of risks to order and safety if available reception places prove insufficient. Humanitarian organisations and journalists reported the difficult situation facing those affected and called for registration, care and accommodation to be provided promptly, lawfully and humanely.
According to the authorities, the transfer is to continue in stages, depending on the capacity available at the Puerto de Ceuta at the time. Reliable final figures on the number of people transferred and those still waiting are not expected until the ongoing registration is complete.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).