started · updated
Ceuta migration crisis: police evacuate Benítez Beach as voluntary returns increase
Two months after a massive influx of over 80,000 migrants into Ceuta in July 2026, the city continues to face a complex humanitarian and security crisis. On September 29, 2026, Spanish National Police completed the evacuation of the last occupied section of Benítez Beach. Migrants were transported to the Tarajal area for registration at the Temporary Attention Center for Foreigners (CATE) before being relocated to the Loma Colmenar reception camp.
During these operations, many Moroccan nationals opted for voluntary return to Morocco after being informed of their rights and the registration process. Authorities have noted an increasing trend of voluntary returns, with some reports indicating double-digit daily figures. However, significant challenges remain, including protests from unaccompanied minors demanding better shelter and local residents expressing fear and concerns over strained healthcare services.
Politically, the crisis has triggered legislative and institutional responses. The People's Party (PP) has proposed a law in the Senate to expedite the expulsion of irregular migrants in Ceuta and Melilla. Meanwhile, European Parliament members have criticized the European Commission, alleging that efforts are being made to block the transfer of migrants from Ceuta to mainland Spain, despite there being approximately 10,000 available places in the mainland reception system. The European Commission has responded by presenting a five-point plan to manage sudden mass arrivals.
Entities
Ceuta · Estrella Galán · European Commission · Guardia Civil · Juan Jesús Vivas · Morocco · National Police · People's Party · Spanish Government · Spanish National Police
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] 449 foreigners have been expelled from Ceuta for infractions. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.informacion.es · www.levante-emv.com · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] Migrants are returning to Morocco at a rate of double digits daily. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.informacion.es · www.levante-emv.com · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Government Delegate and their chief of staff lost their positions due to lack of coordination between security agencies. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.informacion.es · www.levante-emv.com · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Migrants from Benítez Beach are being relocated to the Loma Colmenar reception camp. lemaroc360.com · www.sbircialanotizia.it
- [● 4 SOURCES] More than 150 migrants chose voluntary return in a single day. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.informacion.es · www.levante-emv.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Spanish National Police cleared the last occupied section of Playa Benítez in Ceuta on September 29, 2026. www.sbircialanotizia.it · lemaroc360.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] An estimated 100 people died in Ceuta and 11 in Fnidq during the migration crisis in late July 2026. eurofocus.adnkronos.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] There are over 10,000 available places in the Spanish mainland reception system. elfarodeceuta.es · www.eunews.it
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The European Commission presented a five-point plan to manage sudden and mass illegal arrivals. eurofocus.adnkronos.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The European Commission is attempting to block the transfer of migrants from Ceuta to mainland Spain. www.eunews.it