Spanish authorities will begin holding migrants in warehouses while they await deportation from Ceuta, as the city grapples with allegations that several young migrant girls have been sexually assaulted following last month's massive influx from Morocco.

According to the Daily Mail, the Spanish government plans to use a warehouse in Tarajal, just yards from the Moroccan border, along with another facility elsewhere in the enclave, to temporarily hold migrants while they are identified and processed.

Officials reportedly hope to return migrants to Morocco within 72 hours of locating them.

The measures follow an extraordinary influx last month in which an estimated 70,000 people entered Ceuta over approximately 48 hours, overwhelming the small Spanish territory on the North African coast.

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The new detention measures come as authorities investigate allegations of sexual violence against young migrant girls.

At least five girls under the age of 14 have allegedly been raped since arriving in Ceuta, according to reports citing local health services. The alleged victims sought treatment at the University Hospital of Ceuta over the past week.

The Ceuta Prosecutor's Office has said it is aware of two alleged sexual assaults and has opened preliminary proceedings. No arrests had been made at the time of reporting.

Judicial sources also reportedly described “many cases” of attempted sexual assault, with several alleged attacks stopped through the intervention of Ceuta residents.

However, reports indicate the suspects are not exclusively migrants, with some local residents also among those accused. The allegations have not been proven in court.

The situation has prompted authorities and community organizations to establish additional protected accommodation for women and girls. More than 110 girls and teenagers are being housed in a school converted into a female-only shelter, while a local football field is being used as a nighttime refuge where women can sleep more safely.

Deporting some of those remaining in Ceuta will also be legally complicated.

Spain's foreign minister has vowed to send “every last person” back to Morocco, but migrants seeking international protection are entitled to have their asylum claims considered under Spanish and European Union law.

Authorities are also dealing with 1,342 unaccompanied minors, whose identities, ages, family circumstances and safety must be assessed before any return to Morocco.

The influx prompted Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas to declare a “humanitarian emergency,” with reports estimating as many as 100 people died during the mass crossing.

Rebel News journalist Alexa Lavoie and videographer Efrain Monsanto were on the ground in Ceuta covering the aftermath of the July 30-31 mass crossing. 

The pair documented conditions in the overwhelmed Spanish enclave, spoke with residents and later covered a protest demanding “remigration” and tougher action from the Spanish government.