The incident happened in the morning when around 2,000 migrants crossing from Morocco tried to attack and break through the Melilla border fence. Security forces from both nations arrived to disperse the crowd but resulted in violent fighting with the migrants lasting for two hours. Spanish and Moroccan officials said that their border guards had been assaulted with weapons by migrants and had to fight back in self-defence.[1] According to authorities fleeing migrants trampled over each other causing a human stampede and killing several people.[2] Several other migrants fell from the fence onto the ground.[3] At least 18 migrants were killed, five of whom died during the crossing attempt and thirteen who died from their injuries in the hospital.[4] Morocco said that at least 63 other migrants sustained injuries and that 140 Moroccan officers had been wounded, five seriously,[1] and 49 Spanish Civil Guards were lightly injured.[4] The Moroccan Association for Human Rights said that 29 migrants had been killed,[1] while 133 people managed to cross the fence.[3]