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Two cops injured as 400 migrants storm border fence in Spanish north African enclave of Ceuta

Two police officers and three migrants injured in drama

Published: 11:52, 9 Dec 2016
Updated: 16:35, 1 Jan 2017

ALMOST 400 migrants have stormed through a fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Two police officers and three migrants were reportedly injured as they forced their way through a tall fence that surrounds the Spanish city.

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

African migrants run on a road after crossing the border fence between Morocco and Spain's north African enclave of Ceuta — African migrants run on a road after crossing the border fence between Morocco and Spain's north African enclave of CeutaCredit: Reuters

African migrants sit on top of a border fence during the successful attempt to cross into Spanish territories — African migrants sit on top of a border fence during the successful attempt to cross into Spanish territoriesCredit: Reuters

African migrants react after crossing the border fence — African migrants react after crossing the border fenceCredit: Reuters

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They are favoured entry points for African migrants seeking a better life in Europe, who either climb over the border fence or by swimming along the coast.

In 2014, 15 migrants drowned as dozens tried to swim to Ceuta from a nearby beach.

The Spanish government did not immediately respond to a request for comment or confirm the number of migrants who crossed the border. Their legal status in Spain has yet to be determined.

An African migrant shows the words "Viva Spain" on his arm after crossing — An African migrant shows the words "Viva Spain" on his arm after crossingCredit: Reuters

Migrants sit on the ground in El Tarajal after busting through the border — Migrants sit on the ground in El Tarajal after busting through the borderCredit: Getty Images

"Most of the people have been apprehended and we are looking for the rest so that they can immediately be processed," Juan Ignacio Zoido, Spain's interior minister, told reporters as he arrived in Brussels, adding that 20 percent of those who had stormed the border had not yet been found.

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.

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