The Interior Ministry said the migrants charged past Moroccan border forces Sunday by throwing rocks, but were repelled by Spanish guards.

A statement said groups of around 1,000 migrants have approached the border fences almost every day throughout January.

At least eight people died Friday when a boat carrying migrants sank near Melilla. Two Cameroonian migrants were arrested Jan. 15 for allegedly killing 10 others by pushing them overboard into stormy waters in a fight off Morocco, AP reported.

Thousands of African migrants living illegally in Morocco try to enter the Spanish enclaves each year, hoping to reach a better life in Europe.