Heavy Rain Causes Waste Issues in Ceuta

A significant downpour in Ceuta, a Spanish exclave, has reportedly pushed waste, including feces left by illegal migrants, into the city’s drains and towards the sea, according to local news sources.

The city, still grappling with the ongoing migrant influx, has faced a series of intense rainstorms recently, which, combined with already saturated ground, has led to problematic conditions.

At the beginning of the week, the heavy rainfall flooded various roads around Ceuta, disrupting traffic. Authorities responded by issuing a yellow weather alert, advising residents to take precautions indoors and outdoors to prevent accidents.

This deluge resulted in at least 15 reported incidents of flooding and damaged pipes, along with minor issues in some residential buildings. However, the most concerning outcome was a substantial overflow of sewage and waste along the coastline.

Local reports indicated that the rain washed away significant quantities of fecal matter, urine, and trash that had been accumulating near drainage pipes—structures intended to direct rainwater to the sea. These pipes have been used by some migrants as makeshift toilets since the influx began.

Residents and onlookers shared their disgust with local newspapers, describing how the currents brought “plastic, cans, bottles, and wet wipes” to the shore, accompanied by a strong and unpleasant odor.

Reports from a news outlet confirmed that these drainage systems had been turned into unsanitary latrines over the past months due to the repeated misuse by some migrants.

Footage shared by the outlet showed waste being washed up on Bénitez beach, which had recently hosted one of the largest migrant camps established after the wave of arrivals.

Concerns are growing regarding the potential biological and environmental impact of this waste. Earlier reports had highlighted alarmingly high levels of fecal bacteria found at nearby El Trampolín beach, located just a kilometer from Bénitez.

The flooding also inundated at least one of the temporary migrant shelter centers established by the Spanish government in Ceuta.

Further coverage included videos of groups of illegal migrants in the city’s outlying neighborhoods frantically searching for shelter from the persistent rain.