By Reuters
Published on
MADRID - More than 2,500 migrants attempted to climb a high border fence separating Spain's North African enclave of Melilla from Morocco on Wednesday, and around 500 managed to cross into Spanish territory, local authorities said.
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The central government in Melilla said in a statement the migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa were armed with hooks, sticks and screws, and threw stones as security forces tried to stop them from climbing the six-metre (20-ft) fence.
Sixteen police officers were injured and 20 migrants were being treated for minor injuries, the central government said.
Melilla and Ceuta - a second Spanish enclave also on Africa's northern coast - are popular crossing points for illegal African migrants trying to get into Europe.