Melilla

  2. Morocco migrant deaths need independent probe - UN

    Warren Bull

    BBC World Service Newsroom

    Copyright: EPA
    Image caption: Melilla and its sister city Ceuta are the only land borders between African and Europe

    The UN has called for an independent inquiry into the deaths of 23 people, after hundreds of migrants tried to break into the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco.

    The Moroccan authorities say a number of people were crushed to death in a stampede on Friday after a section of border fence was cut open, while others may have been killed after falling from a border fence.

    Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has blamed people traffickers.

    But the incident has provoked protests in Spain, with demonstrators saying the government's hard-line policies are forcing migrants to take desperate measures.

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  13. Melilla’s Border Stories

    Video content

    Video caption: Migrants wait for months to scale the fence at Melilla, Europe’s border with Africa

    Melilla is one of Europe’s most southerly borders with Africa. Linda Pressly speaks to the migrants hoping to cross and the 'mule' women who carry merchandise across the border.

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