Hundreds detained as migrants try to cross into Spain
Police have blocked hundreds of migrants who have attempted to cross into a Spanish enclave in North Africa.
Migrants were seen on video moving across a hilly area in Morocco as they tried to gain access to the city of Ceuta, which was the scene of an attempted mass-crossing of 72,000 people late last month.
A member of Moroccan security stands guard as migrants gather on a hill attempting to cross from the border town of Fnideq to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta AP Photo/STR
A heavy police presence, put in place after the earlier crossing attempt that left at least 80 people dead, meant the migrants were apprehended in the town of Fnideq, according to Moroccan police reports.
The migrants were met by Moroccan police in riot gear, who reportedly used tear gas to try and break up groups of migrants.
There were around 1500 police patrolling on the Spanish side of the border, which has had its defences bolstered, including a new metal fence and a floating barrier, after a recent influx of migrants.
There had been reports on social media that a mass crossing attempt was planned for this weekend.
Moroccan security forces use tear gas as they disperse migrants attempting to cross from the border town of Fnideq to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta AP Photo/STR
Spanish media reported that the majority of the migrants were from Sub-Saharan Africa, though some were also from Morocco, Algeria and Mauritania.
No casualties have been reported as of Sunday morning.
The area of Ceuta, which marks the only land border between Africa and Europe, was the scene of the biggest attempted crossing in years on July 31.
Rumours had circulated online that the Spanish border had opened up, and quickly spread through social media platforms.
Thousands arrived at the border in buses, taxis and trains aiming to cross into Europe, but their journey was unsuccessful.
Most were turned back either by the heavy security presence of both sides of the border, or due to the harsh conditions that faced them.
At least 80 people died in last month’s attempted mass crossing. AP Photo/Antonio Sempere
According to multiple migrants interviewed by AP, people rushed to scramble over the slick rocks at the same time, pushing and climbing over one another. Several said they saw people knocked back into the water and forced beneath others, leaving them unable to resurface as migrants sought to reach land.
It is estimated that about 80 people died during the July 31 crossing attempt, with 72 dying on the Spanish side of the border, and another 10 on the Moroccan side.
Some died during stampedes as thousands rushed to breach the border, while others drowned as they tried to swim to shore.
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