Police have begun an operation to move hundreds of migrants in Ceuta to a new tented site located in the Spanish territory's port area. The move follows weeks of migrants living on the beaches.
The operation started around 07:00 local time on Friday, with reports from the Spanish government-owned news agency Efe indicating that over 3,000 migrants are being transferred. During the process, some migrants reportedly broke through a cordon along the 2km route to the port, and shots were heard, with police reportedly firing into the air.
More than 170 police officers, including drone technicians, have been deployed. Efe reported that the situation was later "brought under control quickly," allowing the operation to continue. The new camp has a capacity for 1,700 people.
This operation is part of the government's effort to gather migrants in facilities where they can be identified and receive care while their administrative status is determined individually. Most of the 72,000 migrants who crossed from Morocco in July have returned, but it is believed that over 13,000 remain in the enclave.