Alejandro Ramírez, spokesperson for the Government of Ceuta, reported on Wednesday that at least 13,000 migrants remain in the city illegally after the mass arrivals on July 30 and 31. He estimates that at the beginning of August, following the large‑scale returns to Morocco on July 31, about 20,000 people were still in Ceuta. Since then, according to the national government, more than 5,000 migrants have gone back to their home countries.
Ramírez described his calculations as «conservative», noting that the actual number of migrants—especially minors—could be considerably higher. Data received by the Government of Ceuta on Wednesday show roughly 4,022 adults in various accommodation facilities and another 1,000 people in the Temporary Stay Center for Immigrants (CETI).
About 300 women and girls are located near temporary facilities at the Centro Ecuestre. In addition, there are roughly 2,100 registered minors in Ceuta. Ramírez said that around 4,500 meals are distributed daily at Trampolín beach, but he later lowered this figure to 3,000, suggesting that some individuals receive food more than once.
Another 1,000 migrants remain unlocated. The Government of Ceuta says some are staying illegally in local residents’ homes, while others are hiding «in the mountains and on the coast».
Judicial investigation and political reaction
Ángel Víctor Torres, Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory of Spain, stated that the government is not concerned about the judicial investigation into the mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta at the end of July. He said authorities will cooperate with the justice system and provide all necessary documentation.
The statement followed a decision by National Court judge María Tardón, who is presiding over the case, to summon Juan Jesús Vivas, President of Ceuta, and Gonzalo Sans, former Chief of Staff of the Government Delegation, as witnesses. The court also requested all warnings about the late‑July influx from police and military authorities, together with information on who received them.
The Ceuta Prosecutor’s Office considers it appropriate to investigate the actions of Miguel Ángel Pérez Triano, Government Delegate in Ceuta, for a possible failure to take measures needed to prevent migrant deaths during the large border crossing from Morocco in late July.
Separately, the government approved a decree allocating 309 million euros in emergency social and economic measures to support Ceuta. Of this amount, 36.6 million euros is earmarked as direct aid for self‑employed individuals and companies affected by the crisis.
During a parliamentary debate, the PP, Vox and Junts criticised the decree and did not announce how they would vote. By contrast, Podemos, EH Bildu and PNV said they would support its approval. Carlos Cuerpo, Minister of Economy, Trade and Enterprise of Spain, urged backing the document so that economic uncertainty does not worsen the instability already being experienced by Ceuta residents.
Water, migrant exploitation, and transport consequences
Hugo Morán, Secretary of State for the Environment of Spain, said there is currently no risk of water shortages or quality problems despite the presence of hundreds of migrants in settlements near the desalination plant. He noted that the Guadalquivir Hydrographic Confederation has activated a water‑supply mechanism from reservoirs to offset the reduced resources caused by the incident at the plant.
Meanwhile, the National Police of Spain arrested two people who, according to law‑enforcement officials, were profiting significantly from the vulnerable situation of migrants who arrived in the city. They were charging up to 900 euros per month for lodging in a garage and offering illegal transport to the Spanish mainland for about 6,000 euros.
The Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) reported that during the «Crossing the Strait» (OPE) operation, passenger traffic on the maritime line between Algeciras and Ceuta fell by 15% because of the migration crisis that has affected the autonomous city since late July. At the same time, the Tarifa‑to‑Tangier‑Ville line rose from fourth to second place in passenger volume and disembarkations within the OPE.
From June 15 to September 15, a total of 2,893,145 passengers and 638,698 vehicles passed through the ports of Algeciras and Tarifa. Over the 93‑day operation, passenger numbers in these ports decreased by 4.3%, and vehicle numbers by 3% compared with the previous year.
Ana Redondo, Minister of Equality of Spain, emphasized that the migrant minors who arrived in Ceuta from Morocco in July are the responsibility of the autonomous city. She called on autonomous communities to make an «effort» to reduce the demographic burden on Ceuta and said the central government is cooperating to ensure the rapid placement of minors in safe conditions that meet all their needs.
