Spain: Seventy immigrants from Morocco managed to enter Melilla

Seventy Moroccans managed to enter the Spanish enclave of Melilla today, crossing the high wall that separates it from the Morocco, announced the Spanish authorities.

More than 8,000 would-be migrants were able to enter by sea earlier this week in Ceuta, the other Spanish enclave off the coast of Morocco, thanks to a relaxation of Moroccan border controls. More than 6,000 were sent back to this country.

“During the night, 30 people entered our city, all men of adult and Moroccan origin,” said the prefecture of Melilla, who clarified that at night 6 attempts were made to cross the border wall several meters high.

In the afternoon, 40 other people, “all from the Maghreb”, did the same after breaking a gate on the border with Morocco, according to the same source.

At dawn on Tuesday, 86 migrants, including a woman, had already managed to cross the wall through a group of more than 300 migrants. Other efforts were made during the week.

The wave of arrivals in Ceuta came amid a major diplomatic crisis between Madrid and Rabat, which has not receded since the arrival last month in Spain for treatment by Moroccan separatist leader Morocco’s sworn enemy.

After intense discussions in recent days, her government Spain lowered the tone today.

“There was disagreement, but between two countries that know each other, respect each other and appreciate each other,” and we must ensure that “this disagreement is as short as possible,” he said. Fernando Grande Marlasca in an interview given to the Spanish radio Cope.

The Ceuta and Melilla borders are the only land borders between Africa and the European Union.