Spain clears Ceuta's last big migrant camp before royal visit
More than 350 police, backed by soldiers, moved hundreds of people from makeshift shelters two days before the king and queen arrive.
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Ceuta — Spanish police backed by soldiers have cleared the last large migrant encampment in Ceuta, the Spanish territory on the coast of North Africa, the Associated Press reports, as carried by Africanews.
The operation began early on Sunday at the El Guano esplanade, where hundreds of people had been living in makeshift shelters. More than 350 officers took part.
People were taken by bus to reception centres to be processed, and cleaning crews then cleared the site. Some fled into the nearby hills to avoid being taken away.
How the camp formed
The settlement grew up after more than 70,000 people entered Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco during a mass crossing in July. Many went back, but thousands stayed, straining local services. The crisis caused political turmoil in Madrid and alarm elsewhere in the European Union.
The timing
The clearance came two days before King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are due in Ceuta. They then travel to Melilla, Spain's other territory in North Africa, on 14 October. It will be the first visit by a Spanish monarch to the two territories since 2007.
The report does not say where the people removed are from, or what will happen to them after processing.
This report is based on reporting by the Associated Press, via Africanews.
