A “urgent investigation” has been requested following the deaths of numerous migrants who were attempting to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Melilla, according to African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat.
At least 23 people were killed and numerous others were injured in the ensuing violence. Mahamat, in a Tweet posted late Sunday said, “I express my deep shock and concern at the violent and degrading treatment of African migrants attempting to cross an international border from #Morocco into #Spain.”
Around 2,000 migrants, many of whom were from the Sudan, attempted to cross the militarized border fence on Friday. Both Moroccan and Spanish authorities used force to stop them.
Initial reports put the death toll at 5, but Moroccan authorities later increased it to 23. Journalist and executive director of the NGO Walking Borders, Helena Maleno Garzon, has alleged that the number of the deceased was underreported and stated the number to at least 37.
