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Numerous people perish trying to enter the Spanish enclave of Melilla. (credits: Google)
According to officials from neighbouring Morocco, a large gathering of migrants attempting to cross into Spain’s North African enclave of Melilla on Friday resulted in at least 23 migrants losing their lives and dozens being injured.
According to the reports, several of those who passed away had apparently fallen from the highest point of a border fence.
As a result of the fighting that occurred early on Friday morning, a number of people from the security forces as well as migrants were sent to the hospital for medical treatment.
It was the first effort of its kind by a large group to cross the border between Spain and Morocco since the two countries established diplomatic ties in March.
Following Spain’s endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan for the contentious region of Western Sahara, relations between the two countries began to heal.
According to the Spanish government, there were several hundred persons who attempted to enter the enclave after cutting through the fencing.
They said that the majority of those who attempted to cross were turned away, but that more than one hundred were successful and were currently being processed in a reception centre.
At first, 18 fatalities were confirmed; however, on Saturday, officials stated that five more persons had passed away as a result of their injuries.
In recent years, the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta have emerged as a focal point for migrants, most of whom originate from sub-Saharan Africa and are attempting to enter Europe.
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