At least 1,100 asylum seekers rushed the barbed wire fence protecting the tiny north African enclave, which is surrounded on all sides by Morocco, in a desperate bid to reach the EU. Spanish and Moroccan authorities desperately fought to restore order as the migrants, most from sub-Saharan Africa, scaled the border barrier and brawled with police on Sunday.

Once inside the miniscule Spanish territory they would be able to claim asylum in Spain or travel onwards towards the promised lands of Germany and Sweden. The migrants used rocks and metal bars as they battled with police officers from Spain and Morocco, who joined forces to defend the border.

Faro TV Sub-Saharan African migrants forced their way over a barbed-wire fence into Spain's enclave of Ceuta

Television footage showed migrants perched on the top of the fence as they tried to get over. Around 55 police officers were injured in the chaos - 50 from Morocco and five from Spain. Moroccan authorities said 10 of their security personnel had been serious wounded during the fighting. Dozens of migrants made it to the top of the six-metre barbed wire fence early on Sunday before being lifted down by cranes, footage from local TV station Faro TV showed. The Spanish government later insisted all the assailants had been turned back except two, who were allowed into Ceuta for medical treatment.

Faro TV More than 1,100 migrants were involved in the attempt

Faro TV Police said almost all the migrants were turned back to Morocco

From now on those making such attempts will be presented before the competent judicial authorities who will decree their expulsion from the kingdom Moroccan interior ministry

Moroccan authorities put the number of migrants involved in the attack at 800, and claimed that all of them had now been arrested by police. In a furious statement the country's interior ministry raged: "From now on those making such attempts will be presented before the competent judicial authorities who will decree their expulsion from the kingdom (of Morocco) or heavier penalties, according the gravity of the act." An Ceuta officials said: "Although the wounds of the Spanish Civil Guard agents are not serious, Moroccan forces suffered the most, and one of them lost an eye as a result of the impact of a stone." Spain's two enclaves in Morocco, Ceuta and Melilla, are often used as entry points into Europe for African migrants, who either climb over their border fences or attempt a dangerous swim along the coastline. Some also try to cross from Morocco into mainland southern Spain by boat, despite tighter controls in recent years by the two countries which has diminished the number of those attempting this route.

Migrants clash with police across Europe Wed, February 15, 2017 Migrants clash with each other in over crowded camps across Europe. Play slideshow EPA 1 of 107 Moroccan Police look at immigrants trying to jump the six-meter-high fence in Ceuta, Spanish enclave on the north of Africa, 09 December 2016.</s>50 border guards injured in attempt to rush the border fence



 Spanish border guards look on as a migrant attempts to climb the fences in ceuta Reuters

Dozens of border guards have been injured as more than 1,000 African migrants attempted to storm the fence guarding the small Spanish enclave of Ceuta on the Moroccan coastline.

A regional spokesman said 50 Moroccan and five Spanish guards had been injured when the migrants, who are believed to have been staying illegally in Morocco, attempted to force their way in the city – which, along with Melilla, is one of two remaining Spanish-controlled territories on the African mainland.

The spokesman said two people managed to climb over the fence and reach Spanish soil. He said both were injured scaling the 20ft fence and were taken to hospital.

A further 100 also tried to climb the fence but Spanish agents sent them straight back to Morocco.

Last month, 400 migrants stormed the fence at Ceuta.

Every year hundreds of sub-Saharan migrants and refugees, some of them living illegally in Morocco, attempt to cross into the two Spanish cities in order to get inside the EU.

Most migrants who try to cross are intercepted and sent back to Morocco and those who make it over the fences are usually repatriated in due course.

Thousands more try to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea, often in small craft unfit for the open sea.

In 2016 alone, nearly 5,000 people are estimated to have drowned in the Mediterranean while trying to get to Greece, Spain or Italy, according to the Missing Migrants Project.

Ceuta was originally part of the Portuguese Empire after the collapse of the Umayyad caliphate in Spain and North Africa during the Middle Ages before it was formally ceded to Spain in the 17th century.

It was then settled by many people from all over Spain and when Morocco won independence in 1956 Madrid claimed Ceuta and Melilla had to remain part of their country as they were integral parts of the Spanish state.

The Spanish coast is only 12 and a half miles from Ceuta and it is attractive to many migrants as one of the only places in Africa which is part of the European Union.</s>Around 1,100 African migrants attempt to enter Europe by storming the border fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

BARCELONA, SPAIN—More than 50 Moroccan and Spanish border guards were injured repelling around 1,100 African migrants who attempted to storm a border fence and enter Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, Spanish authorities said Sunday.

A regional government spokesman told The Associated Press that 50 Moroccan and five Spanish border guards were injured early on Sunday when the large group of migrants tried to enter Spain.

The spokesman said two migrants managed to reach Spanish soil. Both were injured in scaling the six-metre-high border fence and were taken to a hospital by Spanish police. He spoke anonymously in line with government policy.

A further 100 migrants climbed the fence, but Spanish agents sent them directly back to Morocco.

Last month, more than 400 migrants succeeded in breaching Ceuta’s fence in one of the biggest crossing attempts of recent years.</s>Fifty Moroccan and five Spanish border guards were injured when 1,100 African migrants attempted to storm a border fence.

The migrants were attempting to reach Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta.

Only two were successful, but both were injured scaling the six-metre (20 ft) fence and needed hospital treatment. One guard lost an eye, officials said.

The attempt comes after more than 400 migrants succeeded in breaching Ceuta’s fence in December.

Hundreds of sub-Saharan African migrants living illegally in Morocco try to enter Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s other North African enclave, each year in hope of getting to Europe.

The enclaves are Europe’s only land borders in Africa.

But most migrants are intercepted and returned to Morocco, while those who make it over the fences are eventually repatriated or released.

This latest attempt – described as “extremely violent and organised” by the Spanish government’s representative office in Ceuta – took place at 04:00 (03:00 GMT) on New Year’s Day.

Dozens made it to the top of the fence, but Spanish agents sent them directly back to Morocco.</s>Five Spanish policemen and 50 members of the Moroccan forces were injured, including one who lost an eye.

More than 1,000 migrants tried to jump a high double fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Sunday in a violent assault that saw one officer lose an eye.

A group of 1,100 people from sub-Saharan Africa trying to reach Europe stormed the border fence just after 4am (0300 GMT) on New Year's Day in an "extremely violent and organised" way, said the central government's representative office in Ceuta.

None however managed to get through but two who were badly injured and taken to hospital in Ceuta, the office said in a statement. A similar assault on December 9 saw more than 400 migrants enter the tiny enclave.

They tried "to force open some of the doors in the external fence, using iron bars, wire cutters and large stones with which they assaulted Moroccan forces and [Spanish] Guardia Civil [police] agents," it added.

Five Spanish policemen and 50 members of the Moroccan forces were injured, including one who lost an eye, it said.

"From now on those making such attempts will be presented before the competent judicial authorities who will decree their expulsion from the kingdom [of Morocco] or heavier penalties, according the gravity of the act," Morocco's interior ministry said in a statement.

Ceuta and Melilla, another Spanish territory in North Africa, have the European Union's only land borders with Africa.

They are one of the entry points for African migrants seeking a better life in Europe, who get there by either climbing over the border fence, swimming along the coast, or hiding in vehicles.

On Monday, a French national was arrested for trying to board a ferry out of Ceuta with a camper van where 12 Algerians were found hiding, "car sick and sweating", police said.

Separately on Sunday, Spanish police said a Moroccan woman was arrested in Ceuta last week for trying to smuggle a 19-year-old migrant from Gabon across the border with Spain curled up inside a suitcase.

According to local authorities, of the 1,100 migrants who stormed the border Sunday, about 100 managed to climb up the external fence and stayed on top for hours.

Safety for refugees in Spain - but at a cost

Footage shot by the local Faro TV shows one man perched at the top of the six-metre high fence, sitting uncomfortably near rolls of barbed wire, his head hanging down onto his chest.

Eventually as darkness turns to light, he slowly climbs down to a space between both fences and lies down as a Spanish policeman fetches him a bottle of water before taking him to an entry back into Morocco.

Separately, coastguards said they had rescued 52 people who were packed onto a small boat at sea south of Malaga on Spain's southern coast.

2016 was the deadliest year ever for migrants in the Mediterranean, with almost 5,000 deaths, according to the International Organization for Migration.</s>MADRID: More than 1,000 migrants tried to jump a high double fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Sunday in a violent assault that saw one officer lose an eye, local authorities said.

A group of 1,100 people from Sub-Saharan Africa trying to reach Europe stormed the border fence just after 4 am (0300 GMT) on New Year´s Day in an "extremely violent and organised" way, said the central government´s representative office in Ceuta.

None however managed to get through bar two who were badly injured and taken to hospital in Ceuta, the office said in a statement. A similar assault on December 9 saw more than 400 migrants enter the tiny enclave.

They tried "to force open some of the doors in the external fence, using iron bars, wire cutters and large stones with which they assaulted Moroccan forces and (Spanish) Guardia Civil (police) agents," it added.

Five Spanish policemen and 50 members of the Moroccan forces were injured, including one who lost an eye, it said.

Ceuta along with Melilla, another Spanish territory in North Africa, have the European Union´s only land borders with Africa.

They are one of the entry points for African migrants seeking a better life in Europe, who get there by either climbing over the border fence or by swimming along the coast.

According to local authorities, of the 1,100 migrants who stormed the border, just over 100 managed to climb up the external fence and stayed on top for hours.

Footage shot by the local Faro TV shows one man perched at the top of the six-metre (20-foot) high fence, sitting uncomfortably near rolls of barbed wire, his head hanging down onto his chest.

Eventually as darkness turns to light, he slowly climbs down to a space between both fences and lies down as a Spanish policeman fetches him a bottle of water before taking him to an entry back into Morocco.

Separately, coastguards said they had rescued 52 people who were packed onto a small boat at sea south of Malaga on Spain´s southern coast.

More than 1,000 migrants storm border at Spain´s Ceuta was posted in World of TheNews International - https://www.thenews.com.pk on January 01, 2017 and was last updated on January 01, 2017. This news story is related to Latest/176010-More-than-1000-migrants-storm-border-at-Spains-Ceuta/ - breaking news, latest news, pakistan ne. Permanent link to the news story "More than 1,000 migrants storm border at Spain´s Ceuta" is https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/176010-More-than-1000-migrants-storm-border-at-Spains-Ceuta.</s>More than 50 Moroccan and Spanish border guards were injured repelling around 1,100 African migrants who attempted to storm a border fence and enter Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, Spanish authorities said yesterday.

A migrant was found inside the dashboard of a car trying to be smuggled into Spain.

A regional government spokesman told The Associated Press that 50 Moroccan and five Spanish border guards were injured yesterday when the large group of migrants tried to enter Spain.

Police also detained two Moroccans who were trying to smuggle migrants hidden in a suitcase and a car into Ceuta yesterday.

The spokesman said two migrants managed to reach Spanish soil. Both were injured in scaling the six-meter (20-foot) -high border fence and were taken to a hospital by Spanish police.

A further 100 migrants climbed the fence, but Spanish agents sent them directly back to Morocco.

Last month, more than 400 migrants succeeded in breaching Ceuta's fence in one of the biggest crossing attempts of recent years.

Hundreds of sub-Saharan African migrants living illegally in Morocco try to enter Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's other North African enclave, each year in hope of getting to Europe.

Most migrants who try to cross are intercepted on the spot and returned to Morocco. Those that make it over the fences are eventually repatriated or let go.</s>More than 1,000 migrants storm border at Spain’s Ceuta

More than 1,000 migrants tried to jump a high double fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Sunday in a violent assault that saw one officer lose an eye, local authorities said.

A group of 1,100 people from sub-Saharan Africa trying to reach Europe stormed the border fence just after 4 am (0300 GMT) on New Year’s Day in an “extremely violent and organised” way, said the central government’s representative office in Ceuta.

None however managed to get through, bar two who were badly injured and taken to hospital in Ceuta, the office said in a statement. A similar assault on December 9 saw more than 400 migrants enter the tiny enclave.

They tried “to force open some of the doors in the external fence, using iron bars, wire cutters and large stones with which they assaulted Moroccan forces and (Spanish) Guardia Civil (police) agents,” it added.

Five Spanish policemen and 50 members of the Moroccan forces were injured, including one who lost an eye, it said.

A Moroccan interior ministry statement said that of those members of the security forces who were hurt, 10 were in a serious condition.

Ceuta and Melilla, another Spanish territory in North Africa, have the European Union’s only land borders with Africa.

They are one of the entry points for African migrants seeking a better life in Europe, who get there by either climbing over the border fence, swimming along the coast or hiding in vehicles.

On Monday, a French national was arrested for trying to board a ferry out of Ceuta with a camper van where 12 Algerians were found hiding, “car sick and sweating,” police said.

According to local authorities, of the 1,100 migrants who stormed the border Sunday, just over 100 managed to climb up the external fence and stayed on top for hours.

Footage shot by the local Faro TV shows one man perched at the top of the six-metre (20-foot) high fence, sitting uncomfortably near rolls of barbed wire, his head hanging down onto his chest.

Eventually as darkness turns to light, he slowly climbs down to a space between both fences and lies down as a Spanish policeman fetches him a bottle of water before taking him to an entry back into Morocco.

Separately, coastguards said they had rescued 52 people who were packed onto a small boat at sea south of Malaga on Spain’s southern coast.

This post was syndicated from The Guardian NigeriaThe Guardian Nigeria. Click here to read the full text on the original website.

Also, Like us on facebook</s>MADRID: More than 1,000 migrants tried to jump a high double fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Sunday in a violent assault that saw one officer lose an eye, local authorities said.

A group of 1,100 people from Sub-Saharan Africa trying to reach Europe stormed the border fence just after 4 am (0300 GMT) on New Year's Day in an "extremely violent and organised" way, said the central government's representative office in Ceuta.

None however managed to get through bar two who were badly injured and taken to hospital in Ceuta, the office said in a statement. A similar assault on December 9 saw more than 400 migrants enter the tiny enclave.

They tried "to force open some of the doors in the external fence, using iron bars, wire cutters and large stones with which they assaulted Moroccan forces and (Spanish) Guardia Civil (police) agents," it added.

Five Spanish policemen and 50 members of the Moroccan forces were injured, including one who lost an eye, it said.

Ceuta along with Melilla, another Spanish territory in North Africa, have the European Union's only land borders with Africa.

They are one of the entry points for African migrants seeking a better life in Europe, who get there by either climbing over the border fence or by swimming along the coast.

According to local authorities, of the 1,100 migrants who stormed the border, just over 100 managed to climb up the external fence and stayed on top for hours.

Footage shot by the local Faro TV shows one man perched at the top of the six-metre (20-foot) high fence, sitting uncomfortably near rolls of barbed wire, his head hanging down onto his chest.

Eventually as darkness turns to light, he slowly climbs down to a space between both fences and lies down as a Spanish policeman fetches him a bottle of water before taking him to an entry back into Morocco.

Separately, coastguards said they had rescued 52 people who were packed onto a small boat at sea south of Malaga on Spain's southern coast.</s>Officials at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on January 1 reported that a group of 1,100 people from sub-Saharan Africa tried to pass a high double border fence at 4am in an “extremely violent and organised” assault.

According to an official statement, none managed to get through, except for two who were badly injured and taken to hospital in Ceuta.

They tried “to force open some of the doors in the external fence, using iron bars, wire cutters and large stones with which they assaulted Moroccan forces and [Spanish] Guardia Civil [police] agents,” said the official statement.

As reported by the Agence France-Presse (AFP), five Spanish policemen and 50 members of the Moroccan forces were injured, including one who lost an eye, it said.

A Moroccan interior ministry statement said that of those members of the security forces who were hurt, 10 were in a serious condition.

According to local authorities, of the 1,100 migrants who stormed the border, just over 100 managed to climb up the external fence and stayed on top for hours.

Footage shot by the local Faro TV shows one man perched at the top of the six-metre high fence, sitting uncomfortably near rolls of barbed wire, his head hanging down onto his chest, reported AFP.

Ceuta and Melilla, another Spanish territory in North Africa, have the European Union’s only land borders with Africa.
Spanish and Moroccan authorities clash with migrants on the Moroccan-Spanish border along Ceuta, as they attempt to climb and rush the border fence.