Police in Spain’s North African enclave began relocating Ceuta migrants from beaches to a newly established tented site in the territory’s port area on Friday.
Officers worked to manage dense crowds as people pressed forward to secure places at the site after weeks spent on the shoreline. Shots were heard during the operation, with reports indicating police fired into the air.
Several hundred people had reached the camp by later in the morning. Authorities say the facility can accommodate up to 1,700.
Officials estimate that most of the 72,000 people who crossed from Morocco into the enclave in July have since gone back, but more than 13,000 are believed to remain.
The transfer began at about 07:00 local time, 05:00 GMT, with more than 3,000 people moved, according to the state news agency Efe.
During the operation, some migrants breached the cordon along the 2 km, 1.2 mile, route to the port. Video footage shows young men running in the dark as police attempted to keep order.
More than 170 police officers were deployed, including drone teams, Efe reported. It said the situation was brought under control quickly and the operation continued.
Ceuta migrants to be identified and cared for
Authorities said the effort forms part of a wider plan to consolidate people in designated facilities, where they can be identified and receive assistance while their administrative status is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The plan in Ceuta comes as Spain debates its broader approach to migration and the status of people from disputed territories, following moves such as advancing Spanish citizenship for Sahrawis through parliament.
Spanish authorities are coordinating the response through national and local agencies, while overall migration policy is shaped within the framework of the European Union. Officials have not given a precise timeline for completing the transfers to the port site.