Rabat – Spain expects to move migrants still living on the streets and in makeshift camps in Ceuta into safer accommodation within the next two to three weeks, as authorities try to ease a crisis that has continued for a month.
Health Minister Mónica García said Friday that the government expects to complete the relocation once new accommodation spaces become available. Authorities plan to add about 1,000 places next week. Around 3,800 migrants have already received accommodation, according to the minister.
Many migrants who remain outside formal shelters have been living in makeshift camps, including around Trampolín Beach. The conditions have raised concerns about access to food, drinking water, hygiene, and basic shelter. Human Rights Watch has called on Spanish and Ceuta authorities to provide adequate shelter for migrants and asylum seekers who remain without accommodation.
The situation has also created growing tensions between some local residents and migrants. Residents destroyed parts of an informal migrant camp and set migrants’ belongings on fire on Thursday, while police intervened during clashes. A protest followed on Friday, with hundreds of residents calling for tougher measures over the migration crisis.
They also blocked Red Cross vehicles carrying food and water to migrants at Trampolín Beach. A group of around 100 residents reportedly sat on the road to stop the convoy from reaching the migrants.
Residents also confronted police, with demonstrations escalating into clashes. Police deployed riot-control units and fired warning shots into the air to prevent protesters from reaching the migrant camp.
At the same time, authorities continue to deal with security incidents. Spanish media reported that a military sergeant suffered minor injuries in a new incident early Saturday, while police arrested four people. The incident followed an earlier attack on a military vehicle in Ceuta that injured a soldier and several migrants.
Spain has also asked the European Union for help in processing migrants who remain in Ceuta. The government requested support from Frontex and Europol, including 10 additional Frontex officers to help with migrant screening. EU officials said they were working on Spain’s request.
The government now faces pressure to move people out of the camps while managing security concerns and ensuring access to basic services. García said authorities need to provide migrants with shelter, water, and adequate living conditions before carrying out further identification, health checks, and other procedures.
