MADRID, 23 July 2021, (TON): According to local authorities “more than 200 migrants and refugees have crossed into Spain’s North African enclave of Melilla after climbing the high fence that separates it from Morocco.”

In total, more than 300 migrants attempted to scale the six-metre (20 foot) barrier early morning, the authorities said in a statement.

Three police officers were slightly injured when they tried to stop them from making the crossing, the statement added.

Migrants and refugees are typically held at such facilities until authorities can figure out if they can be returned to their countries or qualify for staying in Spain.

Melilla and Ceuta, a second Spanish enclave also on Africa’s Mediterranean coast, are popular crossing points for migrants and refugees seeking a better life in Europe.

The territories have the European Union’s only land borders with Africa.

Both are protected by fences fortified with barbed wire, video cameras and watchtowers.

Since mid-May, more than 500 migrants and refugees have surmounted the Moroccan border fence to make it into Melilla.