Key facts
- Spanish police cleared a migrant camp on a beach in Ceuta on Sunday.
- Around 3,000 migrants were living in tents and makeshift homes on Trampolin beach.
- Migrants were moved to temporary accommodation for processing or return to Morocco.
- King Felipe and Queen Letizia are scheduled to visit Ceuta on October 13-14.
Spanish police on Sunday cleared a migrant camp on a beach in the North African enclave of Ceuta, where tens of thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco over two months ago. The Spanish government stated that police moved migrants from Trampolin beach, where approximately 3,000 people had been living in tents and makeshift homes for two months, to temporary accommodation. These individuals will either be processed or have the option to return to Morocco.
Tensions have been high in the small enclave, home to 80,000 people, due to the presence of migrants sleeping rough. Locals held a demonstration on Saturday calling for the migrants to leave. The clearing operation precedes a visit by King Felipe and Queen Letizia to Ceuta scheduled for October 13-14, marking their first visit during his 12-year reign. Morocco claims sovereignty over Ceuta and the other Spanish North African enclave, Melilla.