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Two Burkinabe migrants died on Saturday night near Beni Ensar after being asphyxiated by tear gas fired by the Moroccan security forces, according to El Faro de Melilla.
The information was confirmed yesterday by Spanish journalist Helena Maleno, a specialist on migration issues. She also reported that four other men had to be taken to the hospital for medical assistance.
On Sunday, early in the morning, a group of migrants tried to reach Melilla by "a sort of tunnel or old sewers" near Beni Ensar, said Helena Maleno on the basis of survivors' testimonies. They said that several people had told them that they could get to Melilla "without problem" by crossing this area.
Seis migrantes burkineses han sido gaseados por Marruecos en su intento de llegar a nuestro país. Dos han muerto y cuatro están ingresados. pic.twitter.com/5byRUc1EfV
— Helena Maleno Garzón (@HelenaMaleno) September 24, 2017
However, once inside, the migrants realized that the place was actually a cul-de-sac. Moroccan security forces then spread tear gas to force them to leave the scene. Two Sub-Saharans died, while four others received medical assistance.
Helena Maleno said they were all from the same country, Burkina Faso, and that the families of both men were informed of their deaths. The journalist said that they were young men, many of whom could be minors. However, the information has not yet been confirmed. The other four migrants were allowed to leave the hospital.
