Moment hundreds of migrants try to storm border of Spanish enclave in planned Ceuta invasion before ‘300 arrested’

THIS is the moment hundreds of migrants try to storm Ceuta in a planned invasion of the Spanish territory – before some 300 people were reportedly arrested. Dramatic footage showed swarms of men rushing towards the border into Europe – two weeks after 72,000 made the crossing, which left 145 dead. Footage showed the moment hundreds of migrants tried to storm Ceuta Credit: X Swarms of men were seen at the border into Europe Credit: X During the second mass dash attempt yesterday, at least 300 migrants were arrested on the Moroccan side of the border, according to outlet Le360. Crowds of running migrants could be seen in various clips making a beeline for the border into Spain. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Tides of men could be seen advancing through the hills, towns and mountains near Ceuta during the attempted crossing. In the weeks leading up to Saturday, messages reportedly circulated across social media calling for a new invasion of the Spanish enclave. Migrants were seen at the border during the attempted mass crossing Credit: EPA Migrants were filmed in the hills near the border with Spain Credit: X The rumours triggered fears of a similar rush into the territory at the tip of North Africa, as dramatic footage showed hundreds of police officers in riot gear standing guard. On Saturday, water cannons, ambulances, equipment for deploying tear gas and stun grenades were seen at the border amid fears of a looming mass crossing. Barbed wire had also been installed on the Moroccan side of the fences. Extraordinary pictures captured rows of riot cops, Spanish soldiers and border officers lining up ahead of the looming border crossing. Most read in The Sun Moroccan security forces monitor as they thwart attempts by migrants to cross the border Credit: EPA Migrants were seen at the border between Morocco and Spain Credit: X The Moroccan Interior Ministry said all necessary measures had been taken to counter any new illegal crossing attempt. The beefed- up security came after messages posted to online forums claiming Spain’s border would be opened at the weekend. A message posted to an online forum read: “The Ceuta border will be open on the 15th [of August], a public holiday in Spain.” Would-be migrants are now also being urged to cross into Melilla, another Spanish autonomous city on the northern coast of Africa. Beefed up security measures were implemented yesterday with the Spanish Army deployed Credit: Getty Footage showed migrants attempting to cross the border Credit: X Ceuta and Melilla form the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. Spain had also bolstered its security, deploying 500 additional Civil Guard officers to its 1,100-strong force. The Civil Guard said in a post on social media yesterday: “Neither the border with Spain is open; nor will it be. “There are new containment barriers. If you cross them, you will be returned. Don’t let yourself be deceived.” Spain’s Army was deployed amid fears of another mass crossing Credit: Getty Barriers being put up on the Morocco side of the border with Spain in Ceuta Credit: Reuters It came after 72,000 migrants swam or climbed over the breakwater to reach the Spanish city on July 30, fuelled by false rumours online about an open crossing. Horror broke out with one man breaking into a woman’s flat and creeping into her bed wearing just his underwear. The intruder was arrested and handed a 16-month prison sentence, which was substituted for deportation and a five-year ban on entering Spain. Over 100 people died in the attempt, according to official tallies although human rights groups have reported higher figures. Nearly all have since returned to Morocco, with Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska declaring “the situation has been almost entirely reversed” on August 1.