200 migrants try to enter Spain through Morocco

Around 200 sub-Saharan migrants tried on Monday to approach the fence separating Morocco from Spain’s North African exclave of Melilla, which has seen several such attempts in recent months, the prefecture said.

“Alerted to this movement of immigrants towards Melilla’s wire fencing, as a precaution the civil guard formed an enhanced security zone around them,” the Melilla prefecture said in a statement.

It added that Moroccan forces helped stop the migrants from reaching the fence.

The tiny Spanish exclaves of Melilla and Ceuta, both located in northern Morocco, are the only land frontier between Africa and Europe.

Undocumented immigrants crossing into the territories often try to work there illegally or else cross on ferries or other types of boat to mainland Spain.

In August, after some 60 sub-Saharan migrants forced their way across the border, Spain boosted its security by raising the height of the fence and adding video cameras and more staff.

Since then, hundreds of migrants have tried to cross over into Melilla on several occasions.

Spanish officials said that attempts to reach Spanish soil by boat have also increased over the last few weeks, as migrants try to make the most of the last remaining days of warm weather.

Late last month, at least 16 Africans died while trying to reach Spain by boat from Morocco.