Thousands of people attempted to cross into Ceuta last month, overwhelming local authorities. On Saturday, Moroccan officials said they detained 111 attempting to cross. Photo by Jalal Morchidi/EPA
Aug. 15 (UPI) — Dozens of migrants were detained in Morocco on Saturday as they attempted to cross into the Spanish territory of Ceuta.
Moroccan officials said they intercepted some 111 people near the town of Fnideq, about 2 miles from the border, BBC reported.
Local police chartered buses to return them to other parts of the country, El Pais reported.
The attempted crossings come weeks after more than 60,000 people crossed the border into Ceuta, overwhelming the small territory.
At least 57 people died during the mass crossing.
Migrants were trying to enter Ceuta after the Spanish Supreme Court ruled that Spain cannot send home migrants inside their territory.
Earlier this week, Spain’s Civil Guard reported the possibility of another attempt by migrants to cross into the North African exclave.
Civil Guard officials said messages began circulating on social media sharing calls for another mass crossing on Aug. 15, Euro News reported.