35 Migrants Escape Greek Detention Centre After Clashes With Police

Migrants clashed with police at a detention centre in northern Greece, damaged parts of the facility and cut through a perimeter fence, allowing 35 migrants to escape, officials said Sunday.

The violence broke out late Saturday at the temporary accommodation centre in Sintiki, near Greece’s border with Bulgaria. Police said migrants threw rocks and other objects at guards before the situation turned violent.

Police reinforcements, including special forces, were sent to the centre. Officers used flash grenades to control the clashes, which continued into the early hours of Sunday.

Authorities said 17 of the 35 escapees were recaptured, while a search was underway for the remaining 18. Five migrants were also injured during the unrest and taken to hospital.

Greek media reported that the violence caused significant damage inside the facility. Security cameras, firefighting equipment, service vehicles and parts of the buildings were damaged. One section of the centre was reportedly badly affected.

The Sintiki facility houses hundreds of migrants and asylum seekers. The Associated Press said it holds about 450 people, while Greek reports put the number closer to 500. Those staying there include people whose asylum applications are being processed as well as migrants facing removal from Greece.

The incident comes as Greece continues to take a tougher approach to migration. The country is a major entry point into Europe for migrants and asylum seekers, making migration a politically sensitive issue.

Greek authorities have faced growing pressure over the management of migrant facilities and border arrivals. The latest clashes also highlight the security challenges at centres where migrants can remain for extended periods while their legal status is decided.