Graphic Video Shows Over 30 African Migrants ¡®Beaten & Killed¡¯ Trying To Cross Border Into Spain
At least 35 migrants have died, and others were injured on Friday when a huge crowd tried to cross into Spain's North African enclave of Melilla, officials from neighbouring Morocco say.?
Local NGOs have reported the toll as opposed to a lesser migrant death toll by Moroccan authorities. Reports say some of those who died had fallen from the top of a border fence.
First such attempted mass crossing
Several security personnel and migrants were admitted to the hospital for treatment following clashes early on Friday.It was the first such attempted mass crossing since Spain and Morocco resumed diplomatic ties in March.The thaw in relations came after Spain supported Morocco's autonomy plan for the disputed region of Western Sahara.
The deaths occurred during an attempt by as many as 2,000 people to enter Spain by climbing the high chain-link fences surrounding Melilla, one of two Spanish enclaves in North Africa.
"Video and photographs show bodies strewn on the ground in pools of blood, Moroccan security forces kicking and beating people, and Spanish Guardia Civil launching teargas at men clinging to fences," said Judith Sunderland, acting deputy Europe, and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
The plight of migrants
In the chaos that followed, many of them were crushed between the six-metre-high fences and Moroccan border guards, who used tear gas and batons on the migrants.
"The Moroccan police beat us and killed our friends, and I don't understand why," Amir, a young man from Sudan who reached Melilla, told elDiario.es news site."The Moroccans hit me a lot," said Karin, another Sudanese man. "The repression was very heavy. It's never been like that before."
Spanish officials say several hundred people tried to break into the enclave after cutting fencing. Most were forced back, but more than 100 got through and were being processed at a reception centre, they added.??
"Officials in Spain, Morocco, and the European Union should condemn this violence and ensure effective, impartial investigations to bring justice for those who lost their lives."
Horrific video doing rounds on the internet
Video footage recorded shortly after the incident and posted on social media by the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) showed several dozen migrants packed together on the ground near the border, with bodies piled on top of each other bloodstains, and articles of clothing nearby. Many of the migrants appeared injured, while many others showed no signs of movement.
The dead migrants were due to be buried on Monday, although the AMDH said their bodies had not been identified or undergone an autopsy.This is the worst tragedy that Spain's two North African enclaves have seen.
For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit?Indiatimes News.
