MADRID, 26 June 2022, (TON): Human rights organizations in Spain and Morocco have called on both countries to investigate the deaths of at least 23 Africans and injuries suffered by dozens more who attempted to scale the border fence that surrounds Melilla, a Spanish enclave in North Africa.

Moroccan authorities said the casualties occurred when a stampede of people tried to climb the iron fence that separates Melilla and Morocco.

In a statement, Morocco’s Interior Ministry said “76 civilians were injured along with 140 Moroccan security officers.”

Local authorities cited by Morocco’s official MAP news agency said the death toll increased to 23 after several migrants died in the hospital.

The Moroccan Human Rights Association reported 27 dead, but the figure could not immediately be confirmed.