MOSCOW, July 31 (HS/RIA Novosti) - Spain closed the Beni Ansar border crossing, the only one operating between Spain and Morocco in Melilla, after migrants attempted to break through, Spanish media reported.

Security forces had to prevent several attempts to illegally enter Spanish territory, the EFE news agency reported on Thursday.

Police patrols have been deployed to the crossing and other sections of the border, the report added.

The events in Melilla occurred amid a sharp increase in migration pressure on both Spanish autonomous cities in North Africa bordering Morocco.

On Thursday, thousands of young Moroccans gathered at the border between Morocco and Ceuta. Later, authorities deployed additional police, civil guard and military forces to the city.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar