Last Ceuta migrant camp removed ahead of Spanish king’s visit
The camp sprang up after a mass influx of more than 70,000 people into the Spanish territory from neighbouring Morocco on July 30 and 31.
Spanish authorities dismantled the final major migrant camp in Ceuta on Sunday, just two days before King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are set to visit the Spanish territory. The camp had emerged following a massive influx of over 70,000 migrants from Morocco on July 30 and 31. While most of the migrants returned to Morocco shortly after the influx, thousands continued to live on the streets or beaches of Ceuta in makeshift shelters.
The sudden arrival of the migrants, which resulted in numerous deaths and caused alarm across the EU, led to a political crisis in Madrid. On Sunday morning, police backed by soldiers arrived at El Guano esplanade, where hundreds of migrants had been camping in makeshift shelters. The migrants were transported to reception centers, and the site was cleared by cleaning crews.
Some migrants attempted to evade the buses and sought refuge in nearby hills. The royal visit to Ceuta, followed by a trip to Melilla on October 14th, marks the first time a Spanish monarch has visited the two cities since 2007.
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