The 21 Moroccan migrants identified by authorities in Ceuta are accused of throwing stones at a military patrol and Guardia Civil agents near El Trampolín beach. No injuries were initially reported, as local officials faced growing pressure to address the city’s ongoing migration crisis. Only four of the 21 were detained after the attack, and a Ceuta court placed them in provisional custody. Prosecutors are seeking up to six years in prison for each detainee.
The confrontation happened Saturday night near Ceuta’s largest informal migrant settlement, formed after a surge of arrivals at the end of July. Security forces responded quickly and identified those involved. Accounts differ: some sources reported no injuries, while others, including Reuters, said a sergeant suffered minor injuries.
After the August border breach, approximately 5,000 migrants remain stranded in Ceuta, leading to almost daily protests and repeated attacks on the El Trampolín camp.
Reuters
This episode follows a similar clash ten days earlier, when 12 Moroccans were detained in Benzú, a coastal area often used by smuggling networks to send migrants toward mainland Spain. El Trampolín has become the city’s largest informal settlement, with hundreds of migrants living in makeshift shelters stretching over 800 meters along the beach, local media report.
Public frustration has grown. On Sunday, about 300 residents gathered in the Plaza de los Reyes, waving flags representing Spain and the European Union, including Ceuta’s flag. Their message was direct: “pedimos soluciones y expulsión.” The crowd called for the resignation of the Government Delegate and marched to the Moroccan border, where they staged a sit-in after singing the Spanish anthem and chanting “Ceuta no se vende.”
Meanwhile, the central government has taken control of Ceuta’s port facilities to house more than 1,000 migrants. Temporary tents are being set up as a provisional measure, information from Ángel Víctor Torres, the minister overseeing the response. The plan, initially agreed with city president Juan Jesús Vivas, was later reversed by local authorities, prompting Madrid to step in and speed up the relocation process.
In late August, residents of Ceuta attacked the El Trampolín tent camp, destroying shelters and burning belongings. The assault heightened risks for migrants. Authorities later authorized the use of 16,000 m² of port land for a temporary camp with capacity for more than 1,000 people. They said the structures are intended to be temporary and dismantlable.
EL PAÍS
Ceuta’s migrant situation has repeatedly triggered unrest and policy changes. Just days ago, as previously reported, border neighborhoods faced new strain as shelters opened near schools, sparking further protests and deepening divisions among residents.
The city continues to struggle to balance humanitarian needs and public order. The rapid identification of suspects and the government’s direct management of migrant accommodation signal a move toward stricter enforcement and centralized control. The ongoing cycle of confrontation and protest shows the limits of these reactive measures. Without a long-term plan for managing arrivals and addressing local concerns, each new incident adds to tensions for both residents and migrants.
