Thousands of migrants remain in limbo in Spain's North African territory of Ceuta weeks after a mass border crossing from Morocco created a major humanitarian and logistical crisis. While Spanish authorities have moved some migrants from makeshift camps into temporary shelters, officials are still struggling to determine how many people remain in the territory and how best to provide them with accommodation, food and basic services. Estimates vary significantly, with local authorities putting the number as high as 10,000, while Spain's Interior Ministry estimates that about 5,000 migrants remain.

For weeks, migrants had gathered on a beach away from Ceuta's city centre, sleeping on cardboard, beneath makeshift reed shelters and protecting their few belongings in worn plastic bags. Spanish police escorted the migrants from the beach to temporary shelters on Thursday morning. Soon afterwards, other migrants arrived at the abandoned site and searched through the rubbish for items they could reuse, including a mattress, plastic chairs, sheets and pieces of tarpaulin. The scene illustrated the precarious conditions faced by people who have remained in Ceuta without stable accommodation.

The crisis follows a major border rush in late July, when more than 72,000 people crossed into the small Spanish territory neighbouring Morocco. At least 90 people died during the initial attempt to reach Ceuta, according to the information available. Within days, most of those who had crossed returned to Morocco after discovering the difficulties involved in remaining in the territory and the limited prospects of reaching mainland Europe. Thousands, however, stayed behind, taking refuge in wooded areas, beaches and locations around a migrant reception centre.

Also Read: Physics Graduate, Footballer And Teen Among Migrants Who Lost Lives In Ceuta Surge

Ceuta Mayor Juan Jesús Vivas has accused Spain's national government, led by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, of failing to do enough to manage the situation. Local officials estimate that between 9,000 and 10,000 migrants could still be in the territory, including around 2,000 minors. Their estimate is based partly on the number of daily food rations distributed by aid organisations. The Interior Ministry's estimate of roughly 5,000 people highlights the difficulty authorities face in establishing an accurate count of those still living outside formal accommodation.

The humanitarian situation has also drawn attention from the United Nations refugee agency, which warned of significant challenges involving shelter, food and access to basic services. Although the majority of migrants who arrived during the July border rush were from Morocco, people from conflict-affected countries including Sudan, Mali and Yemen also reached Ceuta. Their different circumstances and vulnerabilities have added complexity to the authorities' response, particularly in the case of unaccompanied minors and people requiring additional assistance.

Authorities now face the challenge of providing adequate shelter while determining what will happen to migrants who remain in the territory. Some have been moved into makeshift facilities, while others have continued to stay outdoors or move between temporary locations. The difference between official estimates also makes planning more difficult, as food distribution, accommodation and other services depend on reliable information about the size and composition of the migrant population.

The situation has left Ceuta, a territory of around 84,000 residents, dealing with a crisis far larger than its normal capacity. The initial rush has subsided, but the humanitarian consequences remain. Spanish authorities, local officials and aid organisations must now address the immediate needs of those still stranded while determining their legal and administrative status and how they can be accommodated. The continuing uncertainty over the number of migrants and the availability of adequate shelter underscores the scale of the challenge facing Spain in the aftermath of the border crisis.

Also Read: Morocco Arrests Nearly 300 Migrants Attempting To Reach Spain’s Ceuta Enclave