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MADRID (AP) — Officials say some 700 sub-Saharan African migrants have attempted to cross into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco but were turned back by Moroccan forces.
An Interior Ministry spokesman in Ceuta said the migrants attempted to force their way across twice early Tuesday.
It was the first major attempt to cross into Ceuta since at least 15 migrants drowned when dozens tried to enter the city by sea Feb. 6.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with ministry regulations.
The Moroccan Interior Ministry confirmed its forces stopped the 700 migrants.
Thousands of migrants seeking a better life in Europe are living illegally in Morocco and try to enter Ceuta and Spain's other Mediterranean coastal enclave, Melilla.
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Associated Press writer Paul Schemm contributed from Rabat, Morocco.
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