A local protest over migrant arrivals escalated on the beach, where flames, flying objects and blocked aid deliveries revealed tensions in the enclave.
In Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, protesters set fire to a camp on a beach where migrants were staying. Clashes with police also broke out during the unrest.
This is reported by DW.
The incident occurred about a month after a mass arrival of people from Morocco in Ceuta. German broadcaster Deutsche Welle released footage showing demonstrators throwing various objects into the fire. Law enforcement officers pushed the crowd back, after which the migrants moved closer to the pier.
Clashes in Ceuta and the Blocking of Humanitarian Aid
A Ceuta police spokesperson said that around 70 people threw stones and other objects at a military vehicle. In addition, local residents tried to block a Red Cross vehicle heading to the beach with food for migrants.
The protesters carried Spanish flags and opposed the presence of migrants and Red Cross workers in the city.
How Many Migrants Remained in Spanish Ceuta
In July, more than 70,000 migrants arrived irregularly in Ceuta while trying to reach continental Europe. A significant number of them later returned to Morocco.
At the same time, several thousand migrants remained in the enclave, living on the streets and beaches. The Spanish government estimated their number at fewer than 7,000, while city authorities said there were at least 10,000 people.