Spain repels 400 migrants

Madrid - Spain says 400 African migrants tried to storm border fences separating its North African enclave Melilla from Morocco and has warned of a buildup in numbers across the frontier.

The interior ministry said the migrants charged past Moroccan border forces on Sunday by throwing rocks, but were repelled by Spanish guards.

A statement said groups of around 1 000 migrants have approached the border fences almost every day throughout January.

At least eight people died on Friday when a boat carrying migrants sank near Melilla. Two Cameroonian migrants were arrested on 15 January for allegedly killing 10 others by pushing them overboard into stormy waters in a fight off Morocco.

Thousands of African migrants living illegally in Morocco try to enter the Spanish enclaves each year, hoping to reach a better life in Europe.