Around 300 African immigrants crossed the Melilla border last night after the fence surrounding the enclave was breached, according to Guardia Civil border police.

The incident occurred at 5am this morning near the Chinese quarter where the fence has already been raised to a height of six metres, and where no police or soldiers were posted.

Previous assaults earlier last week were centred around the Rostrogordo forest where the height of the fence has not yet been raised.

Four Guardia Civil officers and three Spanish soldiers were injured by stones thrown by the approximately 700 immigrants who took part in the assault.

A number of immigrants were slightly injured and are receiving treatment at local health centres.

Ceuta border immigrants `caught in crossfire´
Friday, September 30, 2005

The Andalucía Pro Human Rights association (Apdha) has alleged that the 600 African immigrants who stormed the Ceuta border fence during the early hours of Thursday morning were caught in a crossfire between Spanish Guardia Civil officers on one side, and Moroccan police on the other. It has emerged that five immigrants were shot dead during the border raid; two on the Ceuta side, and three on Moroccan territory. 45 others were injured.

Ceuta National Police admitted in an unofficial statement yesterday that their officers had fired a large number of rubber bullets, but insisted that Moroccan police armed with assault rifles were using the live ammunition responsible for the deaths.

Meanwhile, the MAP and RTM Moroccan news and radio agencies are claiming that the shootings were perpetrated by the Spanish.

The Adpha insists that there was in fact shooting from both sides of the border, and that the victims were caught in a lethal crossfire. They also described the Spanish government's decision to send in troops to reinforce border security as an act of "barbarity."

At least two immigrants die storming Ceuta border
Thursday, September 29, 2005

At least two people died and between 30-40 others were injured last night as between 500-600 illegal North African immigrants stormed the border fence protecting the autonomous city of Ceuta, one of Spain's two North African enclaves.

A spokesman for the Guardia Civil explained that two people had apparently been crushed to death on their side of the border, although it is rumoured that between 2-4 others may have died on Moroccan territory.

81 immigrants are thought to have successfully crossed the fence, although this number may rise over the next few hours as more are still thought to be hiding out in hills overlooking the town.

This is the first time Ceuta has been targeted for a mass assault of this type, although more than 20 similar incidents have occurred over the past few months at the Melilla border to the east (2nd photo).

Interior ministry announces further Melilla border reinforcements
Wednesday, September 28, 2005

40 extra Guardia Civil officers will be deployed with immediate effect to deal with the ever increasing numbers of Morroccan immigrant swarming into the tiny enclave of Melilla on Morocco's northern coastline. Security secretary of state Antonio Camacho announced the measure during an appearance before the House of Congress Interior committee earlier today, during which it emerged that work to raise the double wire fence protecting the border to a height of six metres, would not be completed until February 2006. 
 
Around 500 immigrants stormed high fence for the second night running last night using makeshift ladders (shown in photo), and around 100 managed to break through. At least 19 other sustained minor injuries in scuffles with police equipped with riot gear. Three immigrants have died so far this year trying to scale the fence, although doubts remain about how they were actually killed. 

"Being an illicit action which is also, normally, accompanied by great violence on the part of the assailants, it is highly likely that, despite diligent, professional and proportionate action by police officers, unwanted situations may occur," was how Mr Camacho responded today when asked by the comittee to explain the deaths.