Nador authorities said Friday night that 18 migrants have died when a stampede broke out earlier today as thousands tried to cross from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Melilla.
Of the 18 deceased, 13 died from severe injuries sustained during the stampede. Five migrants were killed during the storming of the fence and over 70 were injured.
140 police officers were also injured during the incident, Morocco’s Interior Ministry said in a statement but no deaths were recorded among the forces.
49 Spanish Civil Guards sustained minor injuries during the clashes. A spokesman for the local administration of Melilla said that the Spanish security forces detected the group around 06:40 AM, and that “despite the wide security deployment of Moroccan forces, which cooperate actively and coordinated with Spanish security forces, the group managed to storm the entry gate at the border and enter Melilla.
This border crossing attempt is the first after Spain and Morocco’s reconciliation in mid-March after a near-year-long diplomatic dispute.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.