Spanish authorities dismantled the last large migrant camp in Ceuta, a city in northern Morocco, on Sunday, October 11, 2026, ahead of a visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. The camp, located in the "El Guano" area, was home to hundreds of migrants living in temporary shelters. The authorities relocated the migrants to reception centers, while cleaning teams sanitized the area and beach. However, some migrants escaped to avoid being transported by bus.
The demolition of the camp comes after a large influx of migrants arrived in Ceuta on July 30 and 31, 2026, with over 70,000 people crossing from Morocco. Most of them returned to their countries of origin in the following days, but thousands remained on the streets and beaches. The influx led to dozens of deaths, a political crisis in Madrid, and diplomatic tensions within the European Union.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are scheduled to visit Ceuta on Tuesday, October 13, and Melilla on Wednesday, October 14. This will be the first visit by a Spanish monarch to these cities since November 2007, when King Juan Carlos visited, sparking a diplomatic crisis with Morocco, which claims sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla.
The visit is seen as an opportunity for the Spanish royal family to show support for the cities and their residents. Ceuta and Melilla have long been a point of contention between Spain and Morocco, with Morocco claiming sovereignty over the cities. The visit is expected to strengthen ties between the two countries and address the migration issue.
The dismantling of the migrant camp is part of a broader effort by Spanish authorities to address the migration crisis in Ceuta and Melilla. The cities have struggled to cope with the large influx of migrants, and the Spanish government has faced criticism for its handling of the situation. The visit by the royal family is expected to bring attention to the issue and potential solutions.
The situation in Ceuta and Melilla remains complex, with many migrants still living on the streets and in temporary shelters. The Spanish government has promised to increase support for the cities and to work with Morocco to address the root causes of migration. However, a long-term solution to the crisis remains elusive.
The visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia is expected to highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the migration crisis in Ceuta and Melilla. The Spanish government must balance the need to provide support to migrants with the need to maintain border security and address the concerns of local residents.
Key points
- The Spanish authorities dismantled the last large migrant camp in Ceuta ahead of a visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
- The visit is seen as an opportunity for the Spanish royal family to show support for the cities and their residents.
- The situation in Ceuta and Melilla remains complex, with many migrants still living on the streets and in temporary shelters.
