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MADRID (AP) — Spain says 400 African migrants tried to storm border fences separating its North African enclave Melilla from Morocco and has warned of a buildup in numbers across the frontier.
The Interior Ministry said the migrants charged past Moroccan border forces Sunday by throwing rocks, but were repelled by Spanish guards.
A statement said groups of around 1,000 migrants have approached the border fences almost every day throughout January.
At least eight people died Friday when a boat carrying migrants sank near Melilla. Two Cameroonian migrants were arrested Jan. 15 for allegedly killing 10 others by pushing them overboard into stormy waters in a fight off Morocco.
Thousands of African migrants living illegally in Morocco try to enter the Spanish enclaves each year, hoping to reach a better life in Europe.
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