Morocco
Around 100 migrants tried to swim to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco, Spanish police said Monday.
The migrants set off Sunday from beaches in Fnideq, a few kilometres south of Ceuta and "some" managed to reach a beach in Ceuta on their own while most had to be rescued by Spanish rescue boats, a spokesman for the Guardia Civil police force in Ceuta said.
The migrants, including minors, set off in groups of 20 to 30 throughout the day, he added.
"It is not normal, there can be groups of three, four or five, but not this many," the police spokesman said.
The migrants were checked by Red Cross workers and three were treated for hypothermia in hospital.
The rest were taken by police to warehouse where they will undergo a coronavirus quarantine before their demands for asylum are processed.
Another five migrants swam to Ceuta from Morocco on Monday, police said.
Ceuta, together with a second Spanish enclave in north Africa, Melilla, have the European Union's only land borders with Africa, making them popular entry points for migrants seeking a better life in Europe.
Migrants try to reach the enclaves either by swimming along the coast or climbing the tall border fences that separate them from Morocco.
01:10
Spain’s left-wing government stands out on migration policy in the EU
Go to video
Moroccan journalist sentenced to 18 months after remarks about a politician
Go to video
Morocco: What do limitations on preaching about Gaza war reveal?
02:20
Morocco's museum of modern art celebrates 10-year anniversary
00:57
Second group of asylum seekers arrive in Albania on Italian naval ship
00:55
Morocco's population grows in a decade to reach 36.8 million