Authorities in Ceuta, Spain’s enclave in North Africa, on Sunday began clearing a migrant camp on the beach ahead of a planned mid-October visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, police said.
The camp emerged following a July 30-31 influx of migrants into the tiny territory, which has a population of more than 70,000. While most of those who crossed from neighbouring Morocco returned within days, thousands remain in Ceuta, sleeping rough on streets and beaches.
The influx, during which scores of people died, triggered alarm across the European Union and led to a political crisis for the Spanish government.
Spain’s royal palace announced on Thursday that King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia would visit Ceuta on October 13 as part of a trip coordinated with the government.
On Sunday, the first phase of the operation to clear the camp began at Trampolin beach, a police spokeswoman told AFP. More than 350 police officers, alongside soldiers and armoured vehicles, were deployed for the operation.
Authorities estimate that about 3,000 would-be migrants had been staying at the beach camp, where the Red Cross had been providing daily meals.
Those removed from the camp were to be taken to a facility for identification before being transferred to a temporary camp established by authorities. However, police said there might not be enough space for everyone, meaning the beach operation could be suspended if no further places were available at the official camp.
Boluwatife Enome
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