Hundreds of migrants stranded in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta have taken to a city beach to demand asylum, as authorities struggle to cope with thousands who crossed from Morocco during a mass border surge. ‘We are also human’ Protesters gathered on Sunday carrying Spanish flags and signs reading “We don’t want to go back to Morocco” and “We are also human”. Many have been living in precarious conditions around El Trampolin beach, waiting for a route to mainland Europe. “We’re sleeping next to the sea, with cold and bad smells. We’re suffering a lot,” said Ayoub Elarroud, from Morocco’s Tetouan. Earlier this week, Spain’s interior minister said irregular arrivals would generally not be permitted to remain in Ceuta or travel to mainland Spain, except in cases of extreme vulnerability. Thousands remain trapped An estimated 5,000 to 8,000 migrants are still in Ceuta after more than 72,000 people surged into the territory two weeks ago. Most subsequently returned voluntarily, but the remaining population has left the enclave’s limited resources under intense pressure. Healthcare officials say staff are exhausted, with reports of infectious diarrhoea and scabies alongside rising injuries linked to violence. Health Minister Monica Garcia rejected claims that services had collapsed, but acknowledged significant pressure and warned against portraying migration itself as a health threat. ‘I’d rather die than return’ Many migrants say economic hardship drove their journeys. Mohammed Ouanzar, a 39-year-old automation specialist from Fez, said low wages had made it impossible to buy a home or start a family. Others described far more perilous journeys. Emmanuel, an electrician from northeastern Nigeria, travelled for four months after his children stopped attending school because of kidnapping fears, while a Bangladeshi migrant described crossing multiple countries largely on foot and witnessing companions die of thirst. For those still waiting, the uncertainty is becoming another ordeal. Ousmane, from Senegal, said he was seeking asylum after alleged persecution over his sexual orientation, but had received no response to his requests for help. In Spain's Ceuta, hundreds of migrants stage protest and demand asylum
