Spanish authorities have commenced the relocation of hundreds of migrants from the beaches of Ceuta to a newly established tented facility in the port area of the Spanish enclave in North Africa.
Law enforcement officers encountered difficulties in managing eager crowds seeking placement at the new site after weeks of coastal living. Audible gunshots were reported, with indications that police discharged weapons into the air to disperse gatherings.
Currently, several hundred migrants have reached the camp, which is designed to accommodate up to 1,700 individuals.
Although the majority of the 72,000 migrants who crossed from Morocco in July have returned, it is estimated that over 13,000 remain within the enclave.
The operation initiated around 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT) on Friday, resulting in the transfer of more than 3,000 migrants, according to the Spanish state news agency Efe.
During the process, some individuals breached the police cordon along the designated 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) route to the port. Video footage depicts young men running in darkness as officers attempted to maintain order.
Over 170 police officers, including drone technicians, were deployed as reported by Efe. The situation was subsequently brought under control rapidly, enabling the operation to continue uninterrupted.
This effort is integral to the government’s plan to concentrate migrants in facilities for proper identification, care, and individual administrative assessment.
