Madrid (AFP)
A group of 155 African migrants managed to break into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in northern Morocco on Friday, crossing the barbed-wire fence, a spokesman for the local prefecture told AFP.
"All are from sub-Saharan Africa, the majority of Guinea Conakry," said the spokesman.
They crossed the border fence at 7:20 local (5H20 GMT), in favor of fog, slightly injuring 12 civil guards who tried to intercept them, according to the spokesman of the prefecture. Many have been treated for cuts.
This is the first time in a year that migrants managed to cross in groups the high fence topped with sharp barbed wire that separates the city of Morocco, according to the prefecture.
Ceuta presents with Melilla, another Spanish city in northern Morocco, the only land border of the European Union with Africa.
Since the beginning of the year, 3,427 migrants have managed to enter these two cities by land, 18.1% less than in 2018 according to the latest report of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior. Of these, 671 entered Ceuta, including hiding in vehicles.
Once in Spanish territory, they usually go to a reception center to apply for asylum.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, 14,591 migrants have also arrived by sea in Spain since January, which is 42.5% less than last year.
Spain, the first gateway for illegal immigration to Europe in 2018, was exceeded this year by Greece, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Regularly pinpointed by NGOs for its treatment of migrants, the Spanish socialist government has promised to remove the barbed wire from border fences and raise them at the same time.
© 2019 AFP