In Ceuta, protesters set parts of a migrant camp on fire and clashed with police

In the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa, protesters set parts of a migrant camp on fire and clashed with police. The unrest occurred a month after the mass arrival of migrants from Morocco in the enclave.

According to Deutsche Welle English, Spanish television showed a group of demonstrators on the beach throwing objects into the fire. Police pushed the protesters back, while migrants moved toward the pier.

Attack on a military vehicle

Earlier that day, about 70 people pelted a military vehicle with stones and other objects, a Ceuta police spokesperson told AFP. Local protesters also tried to prevent Red Cross vehicles from reaching the beach, where the organization was distributing food to migrants.

Participants in the protest waved Spanish flags and opposed the presence of migrants and the Red Cross.

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How many migrants remain in Ceuta

In July, more than 70,000 migrants arrived irregularly in Ceuta, hoping to reach continental Europe. Most of them later returned to Morocco, but several thousand people still remain in the enclave and live on the streets or beaches.

The Spanish government estimates that fewer than 7,000 migrants remain in Ceuta. Representatives of the enclave's authorities say there are at least 10,000. Ceuta's population is about 84,000 people.

Pressure on Madrid

The conservative opposition accuses left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of inaction and neglecting the interests of Ceuta residents. The government in Madrid is speeding up the identification of migrants and decisions regarding those who can be returned to Morocco. Authorities have also approved additional funding to assist unaccompanied minors, who are entitled to special protection.