Ceuta Migrant Crisis Deepens as Thousands Remain Stranded

For over a month, Anis Fadi, a 21-year-old university graduate and qualified accountant, has been living in a makeshift camp on Trampolin Beach in Ceuta. Since crossing from Morocco at the end of July alongside approximately 70,000 others, Fadi has survived in temporary structures built from wood and broken branches, queueing for hours daily for food at a Red Cross facility.

“I don’t even have a tent,” Fadi told Al Jazeera. “We make shelter with old pieces of wood, sticks from broken branches, and whatever else we find here.” He noted that the flimsy shelters offer little protection against the wind and incoming cold, though he expressed gratitude that his situation was not the worst among those present.

While Spanish government estimates suggest between 6,000 and 10,000 migrants remain stranded, Ceuta officials place the figure closer to 13,000. Approximately 5,000 individuals, predominantly women and children, have been provided with temporary accommodation, leaving the rest to sleep outdoors. Authorities recently opened a new shelter with capacity for 1,700 people, but it reached full capacity within hours.

Fadi described being shouted at and struck with batons by police during transfers, yet he stated he does not regret his departure from Morocco. “Life was harder there for me. I didn’t see any future for myself,” he said. “We are not criminals. We just want to work.” He joined an estimated 100 or more people who died attempting the crossing, having swum for hours to reach the Spanish enclave.

The influx has severely strained the city, whose usual population of 84,000 nearly doubled during the crisis. Although most arrivals have returned, those remaining continue to pressure local resources. In Spain, the government faces public protests over its handling of the situation, while right-wing politicians in Europe have characterized the movement as an invasion.

Humanitarian organizations report significant hardships beyond overcrowding. Nolte Bauer of Mission Lifeline International highlighted a lack of hygiene, insufficient medical aid, and violence, particularly at night. Several migrants recounted being beaten by individuals in military or police uniforms. One man, who requested anonymity, alleged that soldiers broke his hand and beat him without provocation.

Fear of deportation has deterred some injured migrants from seeking hospital care, leading them to rely on NGOs like Medicos del Mundo. However, Spanish authorities have denied these allegations, stating that police act with “absolute respect for human rights” and are expanding services while processing cases. The central government aims to return individuals without legal status to Morocco, while Ceuta’s leadership continues to urge Madrid and the broader European Union for additional support.