Spanish riot police used batons and fired warning shots and rubber bullets into the air on Friday, September 18, 2026, as a stampede erupted during the forced transfer of hundreds of migrants from makeshift beach camps to a new temporary shelter at the Port of Ceuta.

 

Spanish riot police used batons and fired warning shots and rubber bullets into the air on Friday, September 18, 2026, as a stampede erupted during the forced transfer of hundreds of migrants from makeshift beach camps to a new temporary shelter at the Port of Ceuta.

The Transfer Operation

• The Trigger: Security forces (Guardia Civil and National Police) began clearing out rough settlements at El Trampolín and Benítez beaches starting around 6:30 AM.
• The Stampede: What began as an organized march along the coastal road turned chaotic when segments of the crowd of several hundred began running and jostling to secure a spot at the new facility.
• Police Response: Officers deployed batons and fired warning projectiles into the air to regain control of the corridors near the port boundary before re-establishing a secure escort.

Core Logistical Constraints

• Capacity Gap: Over 4,000 migrants had been living rough on Ceuta's beaches following the massive border influx in late July, but the newly constructed tent city inside the port area only accommodates roughly 1,700 to 1,800 people.
• Political Fallout: The local conservative government and national opposition parties have heavily criticized the central government’s management, denouncing the operation as chaotic and failing to match infrastructure needs