More than 2,500 sub-Saharan Africans try to enter the autonomous city, injuring 3 civil guardsmen

Al menos 491 migrantes saltan la valla de Melilla en el intento más numeroso en décadas

photo_camera REUTERS/JESÚS BLASCO DE AVELLANEDA - African migrants sit on top of a border fence during an attempt to cross into Spanish territory, between Morocco and the enclave of Melilla

Up to 2,500 migrants of sub-Saharan origin attempted to jump the Melilla fence on Wednesday, of whom 491 crossed the double barrier that separates the autonomous city from northern Morocco. This is the largest number of people to date, according to the Government Delegation in Melilla.

The jump took place at 9.30 a.m., according to the Government Delegate, Sabrina Moh, after the group walked along the path that connects the border posts of Barrio Chino and Fahrana, known as 'Villa Pilar', with the so-called Temporary Immigrant Assistance Centres (CETI). 

The migrants have spread out along the fence, making it difficult for the Spanish and Moroccan security forces to cooperate. According to Europa Press, the migrants were "armed with hooks, sticks and screws in their shoes and were throwing stones, which meant that they overtook the Moroccan security forces who were trying to prevent them from reaching the fence".

Up to 25 Moroccan officers and three other civil guards were injured in the act, with minor injuries. Dozens of migrants have also suffered injuries and bruises during the jump, of which several have been treated by the authorities, and 20 have been transferred to the Regional Hospital. The rest are already in the CETI.

"Since I have been at the Government Delegation there has not been such a large number of attempts," said Moh, who has been in office since 2018. Although this jump coincides with a moment marked by the low occupation of the Temporary Stay Centre for Immigrants, facilities to which they have the right to access according to Spanish law, where 100 migrants are concentrated, according to the Secretary of State for Migration.

More in Politics