Officials in the Spanish territory of Ceuta on the northwestern tip of Africa on Thursday asked the government in Madrid to declare a national emergency and send the army to help secure its border with Morocco.
The call came as video footage showed crowds of people trying to walk around the breakwaters separating Moroccan and Spanish territory or otherwise scale the border fence. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledged an "immediate response."
Spain's Interior Ministry said later on Thursday that its armed forces would send personnel to Ceuta to support the border guards.
"The Armed Forces will reinforce the Guardia Civil in the exercise of its powers and any others that may be necessary to maintain civil security in the city of Ceuta," the ministry said.
Large groups were approaching from the nearby Moroccon town of Fnideq, although it wasn't clear why so many sought to enter specifically on ThursdayImage: REUTERS
