Politics

Greek border guard shot from Turkish side: police

The border patrol "took fire from unknown persons on the Turkish side" near the town of Soufli, it said.

Greek police guard as migrants gather at a border fence on the Turkish side, during clashes at the Greek-Turkish border in Kastanies, Evros region, on Saturday, March 7, 2020. (Photo: AP)
Greek police guard as migrants gather at a border fence on the Turkish side, during clashes at the Greek-Turkish border in Kastanies, Evros region, on Saturday, March 7, 2020. (Photo: AP)
Europe Migrants Greece Turkey

THESSALONIKI, GREECE (AFP) - A Greek border guard was hurt Saturday after being shot from the Turkish side of the frontier, Greek police said.

The border patrol "took fire from unknown persons on the Turkish side" near the town of Soufli, it said.

The police in a statement said the incident occurred during "an operation to prevent the illegal entry of migrants from Turkey."

The guard was hospitalised. No detail was given on his condition.

The Greek-Turkish border is a common entry point to smuggle migrants into Greece -- a member of the European Union -- particularly in the summer when the waters of the Evros River run low.

In 2020, Ankara was seen by Athens to have encouraged thousands of migrants to attempt to cross the frontier into Greece, causing days of clashes with border guards.