Spain: 200 migrants storm enclave border fence

Sub-Saharan migrants climb over a metallic fence that divides Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla, as a Red Cross worker is on-hand to offer humanitarian assistance, Monday Feb. 17, 2014. AP

MADRID, Spain—A Spanish official says more than 200 migrants have stormed a six-meter-high barbed wire border fence to enter Spain’s northwest African enclave of Melilla from Morocco—the second such crossing in a week.

Carlos Montero, who runs a temporary accommodation center for migrants, told Spanish National Radio that the incident occurred Friday. He says the center, which was intended to house 500, now has 1,300 migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa.

Melilla is surrounded by Morocco and the Mediterranean Sea. Migrants trying to get to Europe camp on the Moroccan side, waiting for the chance to scale the fence. Thousands try each year to enter the city and Spain’s other coastal enclave, Ceuta.

On Feb. 6, at least 15 migrants drowned while trying to enter Ceuta by sea.

RELATED STORY

Tiny island creates major migration headache for Spain