Moroccan security forces arrested 294 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa on Saturday as they allegedly attempted to reach the Spanish city of Ceuta, according to Moroccan state television cited by The Associated Press.
Authorities also arrested 61 Moroccan nationals accused of helping facilitate the attempted crossings, as Morocco and Spain increased security along the border following calls on social media for a new mass migration attempt.
The latest attempt comes about two weeks after a major migration crisis in which tens of thousands of people moved toward Ceuta. Official figures reported at least 90 deaths on both sides of the border, while human rights organizations reported higher numbers.
Moroccan and Spanish authorities have since reinforced security and restricted movement toward the area. A senior Moroccan diplomat previously said that more than 20,000 Moroccan security personnel are deployed along the Ceuta border each day.
