News, September 2005

Run of mass attempts to cross Melilla and Ceuta border fences from Marocco lead to 5 dead

[Image 14???]30 September. Over the past week thousands of would-be immigrants have made several attempts to cross the fences protecting the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. On Wednesday night 5 ended up dead, despite police disclaimers from both sides of the border that real shot was used. In each attempt up to 500 sub-saharans attempted to cross the fences with ladders; some 100 made it each time, adding to the chaos at the detention centres in the enclaves.

President Zapatero met with the Maroccan leaders yesterday (29th) and since the meeting Maroccan police and troops have been more helpful in keeping the subsaharans away from the border.

BBC report and video link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4292490.stm

Sources: BBC, El Mundo, TVE, Europa Press, El País