Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Spanish Police Clear Ceuta Beaches Amid Migrant Shelter Shortage
Spanish police and soldiers began moving migrants away from beaches in Ceuta.
The migrants were taken toward temporary housing in the port.
The operation started early on Friday.
Some people pushed and struggled because there were not enough places for everyone.
Police fired rubber bullets into the air and used batons before the situation became calmer.
The new housing can hold about 1,700 adult men.
Children and teenagers are being housed separately.
Aid groups say thousands of people still have nowhere to sleep.
Spanish riot police and military began clearing migrants from Ceuta beaches early Friday.
Police fired rubber bullets into the air and struck some migrants with batons during crowding.
Authorities built temporary housing inside Ceuta’s port for up to 1,700 adult men.
Spain estimates about 10,000 migrants remain in Ceuta after most arrivals later left.
NGOs say thousands remain outdoors because available reception facilities cannot accommodate everyone.
- Who
- Spanish riot police, the Spanish military, migrants, and nongovernmental organizations were involved.
- What
- Authorities launched an operation to clear migrants from Ceuta’s beaches and move some into temporary housing.
- When
- The operation began shortly before 7 a.m. local time on Friday, September 18.
- Where
- The operation took place in Ceuta, moving people from El Trampolin beach to the port.
- Why
- Authorities sought to move migrants into available shelter and clear beaches and other public areas.
Authorities' Actions
NGOs' Concerns
Purpose of the operation
Authorities' Actions
Authorities used police and military personnel to clear beaches and move migrants toward temporary housing in the port.
NGOs' Concerns
NGOs said the authorities had been too slow to provide the minimum shelter required under the European migration pact.
Shelter capacity
Authorities' Actions
Authorities built temporary housing with space for 1,700 adult men and housed minors separately.
NGOs' Concerns
NGOs said the available reception centers could not accommodate those still sleeping outdoors, with one group estimating about 4,000 remained outside.
What may happen next
Authorities' Actions
Officials appeared to proceed with the clearance operation despite limited available places.
NGOs' Concerns
Two NGO leaders said officials probably expect most migrants to return voluntarily to Morocco.
- Estimated migrants remaining
- Spain estimates that about 10,000 migrants remain in Ceuta.
- Temporary housing capacity
- New housing inside the port can accommodate 1,700 people.
- People outdoors
- One NGO estimated that about 4,000 migrants remained on beaches and pavements.
- Earlier border crossing
- More than 72,000 people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco at the end of July, although most later left.
- Operation route
- Migrants were escorted for just over 1 kilometer from El Trampolin beach to the port.
- Shelter eligibility
- The temporary housing was built for adult men; minors were separated and housed elsewhere.
- Police response
- Police fired rubber bullets into the air and struck several migrants with batons during crowding.