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The eviction operations carried out by the state security forces began shortly after 8:00 am on the Guano beach in Ceuta, where around 400 migrants were still present following the wave of illegal immigration from Morocco that brought more than 70,000 people at the end of July.
The operation was made up largely of officers from the National Police, the Spanish riot units, immigration staff and members of the Civil Guard and local police. The procedure was similar to the two previous clearances on Tarajal and Trampolín beaches.
The migrants were grouped together and taken by bus to the Centro de Atención Temporal de Extranjeros (CATE), where their details will begin to be registered. Afterwards, they will be housed in one of the camps set up by the government, such as the one at the port.
On the two previous occasions, not all the migrants cooperated with the procedure, and many fled into the hills, only coming down when food was distributed. This morning, many gathered up their belongings and left the area before the police arrived.
Minors separated from adults
During the eviction, officers found numerous minors. They were assembled separately and will be transferred apart from the adults.
Several of them were carrying signs asking to be taken to a centre for minors. According to local media, many of the children on this beach had already tried to be registered previously but ran away.
On 20 August, the transfer of migrants from Trampolín beach to temporary reception centres in Loma Margarita and El Embolsamiento began. Some migrants later returned to the beach, as happened when the camp at the port of Ceuta was opened.
Clean-up and assessment of the settlement
Once the site had been emptied, cleaning crews moved in to remove tents, rubbish and all kinds of debris. The work will continue throughout the day, as there is still much to do in a place that has served as a camp for a long time. The ecological damage is significant and will have to be assessed by environmental experts in contact with the Ministry of the Environment.
The camp has left behind serious incidents, including the deaths of two people, as well as brawls, thefts and fights. A parallel life also developed there, with street markets and a way of life of its own.
The eviction comes ahead of the visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, scheduled for 13 October. The royal couple will preside in Ceuta over a tribute to those who died at sea during the mass crossing at the Tarajal border. After spending the night in the autonomous city, they will travel on to Melilla. It will be the first time a Spanish monarch has spent the night in Ceuta since the visits by Alfonso XIII in 1904 and 1927.