Calls for investigation over deaths in Moroccan-Spanish border crossing

NGOs say toll could be as high as 37 after hundreds of people break into border control area in attempt to reach Melilla enclave

Human rights campaigners in Spain and Morocco have called for investigations to be launched in both countries after a mass attempt to scale the border fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla left at least 23 people dead.

Spanish officials said about 2,000 Africans made their way to the iron fence at dawn on Friday, with more than 500 managing to slip into a border control area after cutting an opening with shears.