More than 24,000 attempts to cross the Greek border
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Greek security forces have launched a manhunt for migrants who illegally crossed over from the Turkish border since Friday when thousands massed on the Turkish side of the Evros River.
According to the Greek authorities, more than 24,000 attempts to cross the border have been prevented since Saturday.
A total of 4,354 individuals were prevented from illegally entering Greek territory in the Evros region between 6:00 and 18:00 on Monday. Authorities also arrested 42 illegal migrants in the area, most of them from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Morocco.
European Union leaders have visited Greece’s border with Turkey to show solidarity with the country as it tries to prevent thousands of migrants from crossing.
Greek police officers on their way to approach two migrants walking on a highway after they crossed the the Evros river at the Greek-Turkish border near the village of Marasia, Greece. EPA-EFE/DIMITRIS TOSIDIS
It came as the EU pledged €700 million in aid to Greece, and gave more details of a European intervention force to be deployed in the area to help the Greek authorities.
The visit from leaders from the EU’s three main institutions came four days after Turkey stopped trying to prevent migrants, many of them from Syria, from reaching the European Union – prompting clashes with Greek security forces at the border.
“This border is not only a Greek border, but it is also a European border. And I stand here today as a European at your side,” Ursula von der Leyen told the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The EU’s border agency Frontex is preparing a “rapid border intervention” team in response to a Greek request for help. Von der Leyen said this would provide several patrol vessels, aircraft and 100 border guards at Greece’s land and sea borders.
