Spanish exclave Melilla: 238 migrants overcome border fence

In the early hours of the morning hundreds of migrants stormed the border fence between Morocco and the Spanish exclave Melilla. 238 of them managed to cross the border. Three border guards were slightly injured.

More than 200 men from African countries have overcome the border fence between Morocco and the Spanish exclave Melilla. In total, more than 300 men from sub-Saharan countries tried to get over the secured fence early in the morning, according to a statement by the Spanish authorities.

The migrants carried hooks with them to get over the fence. 238 of them managed to get to the other side. Three Spanish police officers were slightly injured while trying to stop the men. The migrants were taken to a processing center where their status is checked. In addition, they have to go into self-isolation there in order to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus.

Tensions between Morocco and Spain

People from Sub-Saharan Africa, fleeing poverty or violence, regularly try to cross the twelve-kilometer border with Morocco to Melilla or the other Spanish exclave of Ceuta. Your ultimate destination is Europe. Often they attempt in large groups to take the police off guard on both sides of the border fence.

In May, more than 10,000 people, mostly young Moroccans, had reached the enclave of Ceuta north of Melilla within a few days. The record number of arrivals had sparked massive diplomatic tensions between Morocco and Spain and the EU. Ceuta and Melilla have the European Union’s only land border with Africa.