There was massive jubilation by hundreds of African migrants after forcing their way through the heavily fortified border fence separating the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco.

According to reports, the migrants used circular saws, shears and mallets to cut through the wire in order to gain entry on Thursday.

Around 800 migrants tried to push through the barrier at dawn, the Interior Ministry said in a statement, deterring police from intervening by hurling plastic bottles of excrement, quick lime and using makeshift flame throwers.