Ceuta warns of ‘unsustainable’ situation for child migrants

CEUTA

A group of migrants approach the border post to make their way back to Morocco, escorted by Spanish infantry soldiers, in the Spain's north African enclave of Ceuta, on Aug. 2, 2026. (AFP)

The leader of Spain’s north African territory of Ceuta has said the number of children left there after last week’s rush of migrants was “unsustainable,” pleading for government aid.

Spain says 70,000 of the 72,000 migrants who entered Ceuta from Morocco have returned, after the deadly influx sparked a spat with EU partners seeking a harder line on immigration.

But the roughly 2,500 who remain include hundreds of unaccompanied minors who are enduring dire conditions with limited access to food, water, shelter and sanitation.

Ceuta’s leader Juan Jesus Vivas, of the main opposition conservative Popular Party (PP), told public broadcaster RTVE that authorities were taking care of 1,100 youngsters against a theoretical capacity of 90.

“This is an absolutely unsustainable situation,” said Vivas, adding that there was “a high risk for order and public security” as reception centers were overwhelmed.

Groups of young migrants continued to roam the streets of Ceuta on Aug. 5, gathering in parks and beaches as authorities worked to identify and accommodate them, an AFP reporter saw.

The Spanish government’s top official in Ceuta, Miguel Angel Perez, conceded those youngsters were “a priority, a source of great concern.”

The charity Save the Children estimates that around 1,000 “unprotected” minors are among the migrants still in Ceuta.

“We are asking for help, for assistance from the rest of Spain” through the leftist central government, said Vivas.