The eviction of El Trampolín lasts barely a few hours and more than 500 migrants are already returning to the beach of Ceuta

The eviction of Ceuta's El Trampolín beach has suffered its first setback just hours after concluding. Around 500 migrants returned this Thursday afternoon to the improvised settlement from which more than 1,200 people had been transferred during the morning to two temporary reception spaces.

The return of hundreds of people has forced the Autonomous City of Ceuta to indefinitely suspend the cleaning and disinfection of the beach. The work had begun mid-morning with the removal of waste, precarious structures, and abandoned belongings after the police operation.

Initially, the Ceuta Administration reported that several dozen migrants had apparently returned to look for or collect their personal belongings. The situation changed as the number of people increased. The City now estimates that about 500 have returned to the enclave, which prevents the continuation of the planned work.

Some return with blankets to stay

Sources present in the area have explained to 'Europa Press' that some of the migrants have returned with blankets and other belongings, a circumstance that points to their intention to spend the night on the beach again. The Ceuta Executive has avoided confirming this and has justified the halt by the need to protect the workers.

"This circumstance has forced the work to be stopped for safety reasons, in order to guarantee the integrity of the workers participating in the operation," the Autonomous City stated. At the time of the return, there were no National Police or Civil Guard officers deployed on the beach, according to information provided by the local Administration.

The relocation operation had begun around seven in the morning and had proceeded voluntarily and without incident. Agents organized the migrants into groups and, with the help of several social entities, explained the transfer to them before accompanying them on foot to the two enabled resources.

People of sub-Saharan origin were taken to Loma Margarita, while Maghrebi migrants continued to the conditioned space in the Embolsamiento area, in Loma Colmenar, near the Tarajal border and the University Hospital. The facilities have cots, toilets, water, food, and psychosocial care.

El Trampolín had become in recent weeks one of the largest improvised settlements in Ceuta after the massive entry of migrants on July 30 and 31. Plastics, blankets, and structures erected by the sea served as shelter for hundreds of people while they waited to learn their administrative situation.

On that same beach, about 200 migrants gathered last Sunday to demand their right to apply for asylum. "We don't want to return to Morocco" and "We are also human" were some of the messages they displayed during the protest.

The comprehensive cleaning of El Trampolín will remain suspended until safety conditions can be guaranteed and a decision is made on how to act with the people who have returned to the settlement