SPAIN-MIGRANTS/MELILLA Hundreds of immigrants attempt to cross into Spain from Morocco

Record ID: 348825

  • Title: SPAIN-MIGRANTS/MELILLA Hundreds of immigrants attempt to cross into Spain from Morocco
  • Date: 19th December 2014
  • Summary: MELILLA, SPAIN (DECEMBER 19, 2014) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) HELICOPTER HOVERING ABOVE CITY USING LIGHTS TO SCAN FOR IMMIGRANTS MIGRANT ON TOP OF FENCE POLICE AND MIGRANTS GATHERED AT BOTTOM OF FENCE MIGRANTS CLIMBING ON FENCE / POLICE VEHICLE LIGHTS PEOPLE GATHERED AT BOTTOM OF FENCE/ POLICE VEHICLES WITH FLASHING LIGHTS ON MIGRANT ON FENCE LOOKING DOWN AT POLICE VEHICLES P
  • Embargoed: 3rd January 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA59RBLCMHWUDMYIEEKNBJUP758
  • Story Text: Around 200 Africans seeking to enter Europe made a coordinated assault on the triple barrier that divides Spanish enclave Melilla from Morocco early on Friday (December 19).
    A helicopter hovered above using its lights to aid police officers on the ground who were trying to round up the migrants.
    Many continued to sit on top of the razor wire fence despite a heavy police presence, with some remaining there until the sun came up.
    It was the third mass attempt this week.
    Spanish police patrol the border, but in some instances, immigrants co-ordinate their assaults in order to overwhelm police.
    Spain has beefed up security in the enclaves in recent months as the numbers seeking to enter have swelled, in part as a response to increased naval patrols that are discouraging attempts to get to Europe by boat.
    According to local officials one of the civil guards was injured during the incident although it's not clear how.
    Spain has two enclaves in Morocco, Ceuta and Melilla.
    Last year, 4,235 immigrants crossed from Africa into the two territories, either swimming along the coastline, climbing the barrier or hiding in vehicles.
    Many of the migrants enter Melilla - where Spain reinforced the perimeter wall a few years ago - with no documentation.
    Early in December Spain's lower house of parliament approved legislation that allows for the summary expulsion of migrants entering the country.
    It means migrants caught trying to cross the border fences can be handed back to Moroccan police on the other side of the border.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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