Thousands of people break through border separating Morocco from Spain's Ceuta

Thousands of migrants streamed across from Morocco into the tiny Spanish territory of Ceuta on Thursday

Authorities in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta have asked Madrid to declare a national emergency and offer military assistance. Footage showed crowds of people walking around the breakwaters to gain entry to the territory.

MADRID, July 30 - Thousands of migrants were crossing into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on foot after jumping over the border fence separating the city from Morocco, Spanish state news agency EFE reported on Thursday.

Hundreds of migrants have entered the Spanish north African exclave of Ceuta by sea in recent days, officials said Thursday, with local television images showing them swimming around the frontier and running into the town.