Spanish security forces launched an eviction operation on Guano beach in Ceuta shortly after 8:00 am, clearing an informal encampment where approximately 400 migrants were staying following the massive migration influx from Morocco in late July that brought more than 70,000 individuals into the enclave.
The clearance, which mirrored previous operations conducted at Tarajal and Trampolín beaches, involved a large deployment of officers from the National Police, Spanish riot control units, immigration personnel, the Civil Guard, and local municipal police. Officers gathered the migrants and transported them by bus to the Centro de Atención Temporal de Extranjeros (CATE) to initiate their formal registration, after which they are set to be housed in government-established camps, including a facility located at the port.
Authorities encountered various reactions during the operation. While many migrants gathered their personal belongings and vacated the beach before officers arrived, previous clearances saw individuals flee into nearby hills and return only during food distributions. During the morning action, police identified numerous minors on the beach. Officers assembled the children separately from adults to manage their transfers independently. Several minors held up signs requesting placement in dedicated juvenile care facilities, with local media noting that many of these children had previously attempted registration before fleeing.
The operation follows earlier transfer efforts that began on 20 August, when migrants from Trampolín beach were relocated to temporary reception centres in Loma Margarita and El Embolsamiento. Despite those efforts, some individuals subsequently returned to the shoreline, a pattern previously observed when the camp at the port of Ceuta was established.
Once the site was fully cleared, municipal sanitation crews moved onto Guano beach to remove tents, trash, and accumulated debris. Cleaning efforts were scheduled to run throughout the day due to the extensive build-up of waste from the long-standing camp. Environmental experts working alongside Spain's Ministry of the Environment are expected to conduct a detailed assessment of the severe ecological damage left on the beach.
Over its existence, the camp had become the site of serious incidents, including the deaths of two people, along with frequent brawls, fights, and thefts. An informal parallel economy had also developed within the encampment, featuring makeshift street markets and a distinct community structure.
The timing of the eviction comes just days before a scheduled visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia on 13 October. During their stay in Ceuta, the royal couple will lead a solemn tribute to honour those who perished at sea during the major crossing attempt at the Tarajal border. Following an overnight stay in the autonomous city, the monarchs will proceed to Melilla. The visit marks the first time a Spanish monarch will spend the night in Ceuta since King Alfonso XIII did so in 1904 and 1927.
