Border guards injured trying to prevent Melilla migrants

Scores breach security to enter Spanish enclave

MORE than 200 North African immigrants clambered over security fences to enter the Spanish enclave of Melilla early this morning – three Guardia Civil officers injured trying to prevent their entry.

The government reported 238 men managed to enter the Spanish territory from Morocco from a group of some 300 making the attempt at around 06.50.

The officers were injured – two by iron hooks – as border guards attempted to prevent migrants scaling the double six-metre-high fences.

A government spokesman said: “Migrants, equipped with hooks, have climbed the fence. Despite the fact the Guardia Civil’s anti-intrusion measures, which were deployed along the entire perimeter, 238 people managed to access Melilla, all of them men.

“Three Guardia Civil officers have been slightly injured, two of them as a result of the wounds caused by the hooks.”

It is the third illicit crossing made in the last 10 days. On July 12, 119 migrants evaded security to enter the enclave and two days later 20 people were held.