The troops that were sent to Ceuta to help deal with the migration crisis are now facing problems of their own, with at least 14 military personnel reportedly infected with scabies after being deployed to the Spanish territory.

Their military union says the infections may be connected to the conditions in which some of the troops were housed, including claims of overcrowding and poor maintenance at an old military facility. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed around a dozen cases, but has not established that the infections were caused by the accommodation or linked to the migration crisis.

Troops housed at abandoned facility

According to the Union of Military Troops (UMT), affected personnel from the 54th Regulares Group were housed on August 15 at the former K-8 Coastal Battery in García Aldave. The union claims the facility was normally unused and had not received adequate maintenance. It also alleges that there had previously been problems with pests and that troops were placed in crowded conditions.

Those claims have not been confirmed by Defence as the source of the infections. The circumstances have nevertheless raised questions about whether accommodation arranged during the emergency deployment was suitable for large numbers of personnel.

Why scabies can spread quickly

Scabies is caused by microscopic mites that burrow into the skin. It spreads mainly through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, although sharing clothing, bedding or towels can also transmit the infestation. Crowded living arrangements can make controlling an outbreak more difficult, particularly when people sleep in close proximity or share facilities.

Symptoms can take several weeks to appear after an initial infestation, meaning someone can carry the mites before realising they have been infected. That makes identifying cases and treating close contacts important when several infections appear within the same group.

Military associations want answers

The UMT says at least 14 personnel have been affected, while Defence has confirmed a figure of around 10 cases. Other military organisations are now seeking clarification over the extent of the outbreak. The Spanish Association of Troops and Sailors (ATME) has called for information about the number of infections, the units involved and the health measures introduced following the cases.

The association also wants to know whether other military personnel could have been exposed. UMT has asked whether cases have appeared in other units stationed in Ceuta, including the Legion, Montesa, Ramix, RING and ULOG.

Could it spread beyond the troops?

The concern is not limited to the affected soldiers, UMT has asked Defence what measures are being taken to prevent infections reaching military families or civilians. It has also called for information about the cleaning and disinfection of accommodation, gyms and military vehicles used by personnel who may have been exposed.

That matters because troops deployed to Ceuta live alongside other service personnel and may have contact with relatives and members of the wider community. An outbreak contained within one group presents a different challenge from infections spreading across several units.

Another problem for Ceuta

The cases have emerged while Ceuta is already dealing with the consequences of the mass migration crisis. The territory experienced a huge influx from Morocco at the end of July, prompting the deployment of additional security and military personnel.

Thousands of migrants remain in Ceuta, putting pressure on accommodation and public services. The military reinforcements were brought in to support the response. Now some of those personnel are dealing with an infectious condition that can be difficult to contain in shared accommodation.

What remains unclear

The exact source of the infections has not been established publicly, defence has confirmed the cases but has not attributed them to the former K-8 facility, while UMT has pointed to the accommodation and the conditions reported there. The difference between those positions matters.

If the accommodation played a role, identifying and treating anyone who may have been exposed will be important to prevent further infections. If the cases came from another source, the military will need to establish how personnel became infected and whether anyone else is at risk. For now, military associations are pressing Defence for more information about the outbreak and the measures being taken.

Troops face a new risk

The soldiers sent to Ceuta were deployed to reinforce the territory during an unprecedented migration emergency. They are now dealing with a health problem that could affect other personnel if infections are not contained. At least a dozen cases have been confirmed by Defence, while the military union puts the figure at 14.

The cause remains disputed, but the questions surrounding accommodation have added another layer to an already difficult deployment. Troops brought into Ceuta to help manage the migration crisis are now facing an outbreak of their own, and military associations want to know how it happened and whether more personnel could be affected.

A community event with a long local history is returning, hoping residents will walk or run in support of Cudeca’s hospice work

Come together for care

Fuengirola is digging out the right walking shoes for the ninth edition of the Milla y Marcha Pedro Cuevas, the annual mile run and coastal walk raising funds for Cudeca. This year it is taking place on Saturday, September 19 at Plaza Pedro Cuevas in Los Boliches. Walkers can get themelves ready for a 7pm start, to raise funds for Fundacion Cudeca, the hospice charity offering compassionate support to people facing cancer across the Costa del Sol.

Choose your own pace

Participants can choose between the traditional mile race or a relaxed walk along the Paseo Maritimo. Both options begin at the same square, giving families, visitors and seasoned runners an accessible way to contribute to Cudeca’s work at their own pace. The event is organised in collaboration with Club Atletismo Fuengirola, whose volunteers help promote registrations and encourage community involvement.

Entries are available through Dorsalchip, with fees set at €4 for Under‑9s to Under‑13s and €5 for Under‑15s up to the veterans group. Payments are made as donations to Cudeca during bib collection. Twenty bibs will be held back for late sign‑ups between 6pm and 6:50pm on the day, offering a final chance for those who miss the online deadline. Bib pick‑up takes place on Friday, September 18 at the Sports Department from 8:30am to 2pm. Additional collection opens at 6pm on the day of the event in Plaza Pedro Cuevas, giving participants time to prepare before the start.

Awards and community support

Trophies will be presented to the top three male and female runners in the Under 15’s to veteran categories, with medals for the leading finishers in each age group. Raffles and prize draws will support Cudeca, made possible through contributions from local businesses and organisations.

Created in honour of former Sports Councillor Pedro Cuevas, the event has become a familiar date for many people in Fuengirola. Residents know Cudeca’s work well, and plenty have seen friends or neighbours supported by the charity. Taking part on September 19 is a pleasant and simple way for locals to show appreciation for that care, whether they choose to run the mile or join the coastal walk.

Spain’s second World Cup triumph on 19 July 2026 has turned a long-time lucky number into national gold dust. Club Waterpolo Motril has played 19726 every year for the Christmas lottery, and now the side and its families can barely keep up with calls from across the country.

Gerardo Romano, the club president, told the EFE news agency that the number “has become one of the most desirable” after Spain lifted the trophy against Argentina. Members and relatives are fielding non-stop requests. They have already collected every décimo allocated to them at lottery shop number 1 in Motril. “We have few left, and at this rate we might not make it to September,” Romano warned.

Demand explodes while stocks last only in Motril

Elsewhere the combination is almost gone for the 22 December Christmas draw. In this Granada coastal town of around 60,000 people, a few tickets remain, but not for long. María Jesús Egea at Loterías Fajardo said staff are stunned by the rush. Only the club’s reserved tickets and a handful held by regular players were still available when sales took off.

Locals reckon 2026 is their year. Other than the World Cup win, one of the stars of this year’s official lottery television advert is Motril actress Tusti de las Heras. Romano and the squad feel the stars are lining up.

Still available for other draws

Egea noted that 19726 can still be bought for the rest of the year’s ordinary draws. The administration is used to sharing a slice of luck each season, yet nothing has prepared them for this sudden nationwide scramble.

Christmas lottery ticket shoppers (yes, it is that time of year already) hunting a piece of World Cup history will need to move fast if they want a share of the Christmas tickets still held by the water polo club. For more on Spain’s biggest festive draw, check the official Loterías y Apuestas del Estado site or read how other towns have celebrated big wins, such as Moraira’s €22 million Christmas Lottery haul.