Greek border guard shot in stomach while patrolling border with Turkey

THESSALONIKI, Greece — A Greek border guard was shot in the abdomen Saturday while patrolling an area of ​​the Greek-Turkish border where undocumented migrants are trying to enter the European Union, Greek police said. The injuries are not life-threatening.

Four Greek border guards were walking along the Evros River, the land border with Turkey, shortly after 6pm on Saturday evening when three or four shots were heard from the Turkish side, police said.

A bullet hit one of the border guards in the lower abdomen. The wounded man was taken to a hospital in the town of Didymoteicho, where he underwent surgery, police said.

Police said the injured officer is in stable condition and his life is not in danger.

Greek media reported that police officials believe the shooter or shooters were likely human traffickers. Officials are not allowed to talk about cases under investigation and the officials requested anonymity.

According to a police statement, the bullet came from a pistol.

The patrolling officers had noticed some movement on the Turkish side, but could not see how many people were there because their view was blocked by thick vegetation. With more border guards converging on the location, no crossing was made.

The Border Guards are a special unit of the Greek police.