Nearly 500 African migrants storm border with Spain
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A migrant holding a European Union flag sits on the ground with others on Friday, February 17, after storming a fence to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
Nearly 500 African migrants pushed their way across the border fence Friday morning from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, one of two Spanish enclaves in North Africa, a Spanish police source told CNN.
About 700 migrants amassed near the border early Friday before storming the fence, and 498 migrants managed to cross into Spanish territory, the source said.
The others were stopped by the Moroccan military and by Spanish and Moroccan authorities, the source added.
Migrants celebrate after storming the fence and entering the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
Social media video provided to a local station shortly after the migrants arrived shows many celebrating while running through the streets. Other videos show barefoot and bare-chested migrants shouting “Viva España!” A few migrants had flags of the European Union and Spain draped over their backs. Some could be seen kissing the ground.
At least 800 African migrants tried to storm a border fence into Ceuta from Morocco on New Year’s Day, Reuters reported, citing the Spanish and Moroccan governments.
Migrants sit on the ground next to Spanish police officers after crossing into Ceuta.
Most of the migrants that day were prevented from entering Spanish territory. A handful of migrants scaled the 6-meter-high barbed-wire fence but were eventually removed by cranes, Reuters reported. Dozens of Moroccan security agents were injured in the incident, along with five Spanish police officers.
A young woman was arrested in December 2016 after being caught trying to smuggle a 19-year-old African migrant into Ceuta in her suitcase. The man was treated for lack of sufficient oxygen inside the compact travel bag, Spain’s Civil Guard said in a statement.
By Marilia Brocchetto and Vasco Cotovio, CNN