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AT LEAST 23 people have died attempting to cross from Morocco to the Spanish exclave of Melilla, Moroccan state television said on Saturday.
Around 2,000 people tried to enter the north African port town late on Friday, with around 500 gaining access after cutting through the fence, Spanish officials said in a statement.
Initial reports said 13 people had died from their injuries after clashes with security forces, however, this was raised to 23 on Saturday night.
“Some fell from the top of the barrier [separating the two sides],” a Moroccan official said, adding that 140 security personnel and 76 migrants were injured.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the “violent assault,” which he blamed on “mafias who traffic in human beings.”
Along with the other Spanish exclave of Ceuta, Melilla is a focal point for migrants attempting to enter the European Union.
Friday’s attempted crossing was the first since Spain and Morocco resumed diplomatic relations last month following a 15-month row over Madrid’s perceived support for the separatist Polisario Front.
