140 migrants storm border fence in Spain's Melilla
5/1/2014 6:27:48 PM
More than a hundred people stormed the fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla on Thursday, officials said, in the latest attempt by migrants to breach the border.
The early-morning surge of 500 people "ended with 140 immigrants of sub-Saharan origin entering national territory," according to a statement from Spanish officials in the city.
Some who did not make it to Spanish soil were caught in the border zone, where they stayed for a number of hours shouting "freedom!", before later being arrested by Moroccan police, according to local media.
Six migrants and three police officers were injured, according to the statement, with some of those trying to jump the fence setting fire to their clothing "to throw at the agents."
Another group of around 200 people made a further attempt to cross the border a few hours later but were stopped by border guards.
Melilla, on Morocco's northern coast, provides one of only two land borders between the European Union and Africa, along with another Spanish territory, Ceuta, to the west.
Both have seen a flood of illegal border crossings by African migrants seeking a better life in Europe.
The early-morning surge of 500 people "ended with 140 immigrants of sub-Saharan origin entering national territory," according to a statement from Spanish officials in the city.
Some who did not make it to Spanish soil were caught in the border zone, where they stayed for a number of hours shouting "freedom!", before later being arrested by Moroccan police, according to local media.
Six migrants and three police officers were injured, according to the statement, with some of those trying to jump the fence setting fire to their clothing "to throw at the agents."
Another group of around 200 people made a further attempt to cross the border a few hours later but were stopped by border guards.
Melilla, on Morocco's northern coast, provides one of only two land borders between the European Union and Africa, along with another Spanish territory, Ceuta, to the west.
Both have seen a flood of illegal border crossings by African migrants seeking a better life in Europe.