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ARCHIVED - Spain-Morocco border in Melilla experiences its biggest illegal crossing attempt ever
Nearly 500 African migrants jumped the fence into Spain yesterday, and used “extreme violence” against police
Around 2,500 irregular migrants tried to climb the fences separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco to illegally cross into Spain yesterday, and almost 500 of them made it.
Specifically, 491 people made the crossing on Wednesday March 2 in what is one of the largest ever crossing attempts on this border.
This morning, too, the was a further mass crossing, when 1,200 people tried to hop the tall, chain link fences. Around 350 of them made it, and will join the 491 people who managed to enter yesterday in a holding facility that is full to bursting.
Videos captured show the migrants, mostly men of Moroccan nationality or from other parts of Africa, clamebering in their droves in their haste to get onto European soil.
🇪🇸🇲🇦 Más de 2.500 personas han intentado esta mañana saltar la valla de Melilla desde Marruecos. 491 de ellos han conseguido acceder a territorio español, según informa la delegada del gobierno en la ciudad autónoma, Sabrina Moh. pic.twitter.com/7fBQOC80S6
— Descifrando la Guerra (@descifraguerra) March 2, 2022
There were clashes with Spanish border police, with some people allegedly using “hooks” and “throwing stones” at both Spanish and Moroccan border authorities before climbing the six-metre-high fence. Dozens were injured, including 16 Spanish Guardia Civil officers and many more of the migrants.
The last mass attempt to cross the high border fence to Melilla took place last October, when an estimated 700 people tried to reach the Spanish enclave.
Both Melilla and Ceuta are home to thousands of Sub-Saharan migrants who gather in large groups to jump the border, before reaching mainland Spain and other parts of continental Europe.
Nearly a year ago, in May 2021, Ceuta experienced one of its largest ever crossing events by sea and by land, though many of the illegal migrants were later repatriated.
The temporary migrant centre in Melilla has the capacity to host just 480 people.
In the whole of 2021, a total of 1,092 migrants managed to enter Melilla, a 23% decrease compared to 2020, according to the Spanish Interior Ministry.
Image: @descrifaguerra / Twitter
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