At a Greek detention center, migrants clashed with police and cut through a fence, with 35 escaping before authorities recaptured about half of them, officials said Sunday. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Police said the incident occurred early Sunday: migrants threw rocks at guards and cut through the perimeter fence. Of the 35 who escaped, 17 were arrested, while searches continued for about 18 others. Five more were injured and taken to hospital.
The clash took place at a temporary accommodation center for asylum seekers in Sintiki, a few kilometers from the Bulgarian border. The facility houses around 450 people while their asylum applications are processed, which can be a protracted procedure.
Police special forces responded with flash grenades during the clashes, which officials said lasted until the early hours of Sunday.
Greece is a key entry point for migrants into Europe, and migration is a hot-button issue in the country. Greece's conservative government has been toughening its migration policies.