Ceuta faces growing crisis as migrant settlement expands at Playa del Trampolín

Following a massive influx of migrants crossing from Morocco on July 30, the Playa del Trampolín area in Ceuta has transformed from an emergency zone into a permanent, improvised settlement. The area now functions as an unregulated community with makeshift housing, stalls, and services operating outside of local authority control.

Reports indicate the emergence of an informal market selling clothing, food, and mobile devices, alongside significant sanitation concerns due to accumulated waste and stagnant water. Local residents have expressed growing fear regarding safety and hygiene, while calling for a firmer response from the Spanish government.

Individual accounts highlight the varied journeys of those arriving; one Algerian man reported swimming for four hours from Castillejos to reach the city. The CETI center and other municipal facilities remain overwhelmed by the scale of the arrival, facing severe space shortages and logistical challenges.