African migrants cling on to border fences for seven hours

Group of African migrants tried to enter the Spanish enclave of Melilla Around 25 men stayed on the fence for seven hours during standoff Eventually coaxed down and turned over to Moroccan police

By Sara Malm

Published: 11:20 EST, 3 April 2014 | Updated: 15:45 EST, 3 April 2014

Their hands and feet bloodied by the wire, these desperate immigrants clung onto a fence for seven hours today in a desperate bid to start a new life in Spain.

The group were pictured as Spanish and Moroccan police engaged them in stand-off as they tried to cross the border from Africa.

Dozens of migrants attempted to enter the Spanish enclave of Melilla on Thursday but ended up clinging to the top of metal fences while Spanish border patrols tried to convince them to hand themselves over.

At least 25 migrants, many with bloody bare feet, clung to the tops of fences for hours, shouting slogans and calling for help to enter Spain.

'Freedom': Sub-Saharan migrant shout slogans and wave as they sit on top of a metallic fence that divides Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla

A sub-Saharan migrant climbs down a fence before being detained and sent back to the Moroccan side by Spanish Guardia Civil officers after climbing a metallic fence that divides Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla

After a seven-hour standoff, border patrol managed to coax most of the immigrants down from the fence, gave them water and turned them over to Moroccan police.

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African migrants cling on to border fences for seven hours