Ceuta Moves Hundreds of Migrants to Port Tents

Police began the relocation operation at 6:30 a.m. local time, and officers struggled to control crowds of migrants jostling for places at the new site after weeks of sleeping on the beaches.
Ceuta’s local authorities estimated that as many as 13,000 migrants had remained in the 18.5-square-kilometre enclave, although Spain’s central government disputed that figure.
The port facility covers roughly 16,000 square metres, and Spain’s Transport Ministry took over parts of the port while the Interior Ministry increased security around key infrastructure.
European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner said the mass entry approached the size of Ceuta’s population—about 80,000 people—and expressed condolences to families of people who died trying to reach the enclave.
Brunner said that none of those who crossed during the crisis entered the Schengen area, crediting Spain’s initial response and Morocco’s subsequent cooperation.
Spanish police began relocating hundreds of migrants from Ceuta's beaches to a tented port facility on Monday, moving more than 800 people in the initial operation after a mass crossing from Morocco left thousands sleeping outdoors Al Jazeera. The new camp, covering roughly 16,000 square metres with beds and showers, can hold between 1,000 and 1,700 migrants—though local authorities say as many as 13,000 people remain in the 18.5-square-kilometre enclave RusPain.
Police started the operation at 6:30 a.m. local time, with officers struggling to control crowds of migrants desperate for spots at the new site RusPain. The relocation faced opposition from Ceuta's local government, but Spain's National Court approved the camp after reviewing additional information RusPain.
Officers struggled to manage the crowds after weeks of migrants camping on Ceuta's beaches Market Screener. Riot police and Spanish military personnel were deployed to move people from the sand to the new tented facility. The operation involved about 150 to 170 National Police officers and additional Civil Guard personnel RusPain.
Ceuta's local authorities estimate about 13,000 migrants remain in the Spanish enclave, though Spain's central government disputes that figure Al Jazeera. The new port facility reached its 1,700-person capacity within hours of opening RusPain. Many of those still waiting include unaccompanied minors and asylum seekers whose cases have not yet been processed.
European Commissioner Magnus Brunner called the mass entry a crisis comparable to Ceuta's entire population of about 80,000 people Al Jazeera. Brunner said none of those who crossed entered the Schengen area, crediting Spain's swift response and Morocco's cooperation Al Jazeera. The European Commission urged Morocco to crack down on trafficking networks and prevent more irregular departures.
European officials stressed that Spain must quickly return migrants without legal rights to stay, while protecting minors, asylum seekers, and others eligible for international protection Al Jazeera. Authorities must also improve security around key port infrastructure to prevent future mass entries RusPain.
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