Fence Breached As Migrants Attempt To Storm Border At Spain’s North African Enclave of Melilla

migrant invasion
ANGELA RIOS/AFP/Getty Images

Nearly 100 migrants attempted to storm the disputed border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla on Saturday, with two managing to breach the metres-high fence.

Authorities have said that at the weekend a number of migrants attempted to cross illegally into the Spanish territory of Melilla, one of just two land borders between Africa and the European Union, reports Morocco World News.

Although Moroccan security forces managed to prevent most of the migrants actually reaching the fence sealing off Melilla (pictured above in February this year), around 30 still managed to reach it and climb the precarious railings.

Of the 30, one of the the illegal migrants was hospitalised having sustained severe head injuries when he fell from the fence near the Barrio Chino crossing where clusters of homes provide cover, making it harder for security forces to intercept them. Three others were also hospitalised having been injured in falls from the fence, but their condition is not reported to be as grave.

Local authorities said several other migrants remained on the railings, clinging on in high winds and inclement weather. Firemen and local police attending the scene laid out mattresses and other material to break their falls.

Two managed to cross into Spanish-claimed territory — Morocco does not recognise Spanish sovereignty over Melilla or the other enclave of Ceuta which is 250 miles away. In doing so they joined more than 100 others who authorities admit have managed to enter the Spanish enclave in a dozen or so attempted breachings of the Morocco-Melilla border fence this year.

Security on the border was raised in 2014. Before both Moroccan and Spanish forces upgraded their presence that year more than 2,000 migrants crossed into Melilla through the same border.

Follow Sarkis Zeronian on Twitter: or e-mail to: szeronian@breitbart.com

COMMENTS

Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.