(Police officers struggled to manage the chaos at the migrant camp in the port area. Photo by BBC News)
Spanish police have launched a major early-morning operation to relocate over 3,000 migrants from local beaches to a newly established tented facility in Ceuta’s port area.
The operation turned chaotic as crowds jostled for space along the 2km route, leading some to break through security cordons while officers reportedly fired warning shots into the air to regain control.
Over 170 officers, supported by drone units, were deployed to manage the transfers to the 1,700-capacity camp, where authorities aim to process and identify individuals remaining from July's mass border crossing.
The ongoing unrest in the 18.5 sq km enclave has sparked severe domestic backlash for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Local residents have cited mounting safety concerns, with Mayor Juan Jesus Vivas describing the city as a "pressure cooker," while opposition politicians blame the government for failing to act on intelligence warnings prior to the crisis.