They evict the immigrant settlement from El Trampolín beach in Ceuta

BarcelonaThe National Police have deployed a large operation from early this Sunday at El Trampolín beach in Ceuta to carry out the eviction of the more than 3,000 people who still live in this illegal settlement since the massive entry of people from Morocco occurred at the end of July. According to Efe, more than 600 of these have already returned to Morocco because they did not want to be identified.

More than 350 agents began to distribute themselves along the beach sand early in the morning to wake up the thousands of immigrants who have been living there in shacks and makeshift shelters made of blankets, cardboard, and waste for two months. As they have been evicting them, they have moved them to the area of the desalination plant located on this beach, where they have grouped them while waiting for the buses that are to take them to the El Tarajal area, where many of them arrived swimming between July 30 and 31.

It is at this point where the Temporary Foreigner Attention Center (CATE) is located, where as they arrive in small groups they will be registered so that they can subsequently access one of the reception facilities. The eviction of El Trampolín will be partial, since there are not yet enough places available to accommodate the more than 3,500 people estimated to be living in the settlement, based on the food rations distributed daily.

Likewise, they also have the option of being accompanied to the border to return to Morocco voluntarily and on foot, as many immigrants have already chosen to do in the last two months after seeing the lack of opportunities they have to prosper in Europe. For example, after the eviction of Benítez beach on Tuesday, the vast majority of the nearly 400 people who were staying there opted for the option to return.

Unprecedented operation

The operation was carried out without incident. According to Europa Press, the Ministry of the Interior has carried out an unprecedented police deployment precisely to avoid altercations when informing the people who have been living in poor conditions for two months that there are still not enough places for everyone. Police sources explain to this agency that there was a fear of stampedes, crushes, or even self-harm. The National Police has deployed more than 30 police vans and has also used drones and reinforced vehicles.