Close call for Border Guard Shot in Evros

A state of alert was declared yesterday in Soufli, Evros, when a 56-year-old border guard was injured by gunfire reportedly coming from the Turkish side. The incident occurred around 18:20 as border guards were conducting a patrol aimed at preventing the illegal entry of migrants from Turkey into Greece.

According to the Hellenic Police (ELAS), the injured border guard sustained a penetrating gunshot wound to the lower abdomen. He was quickly transported to Didymoteicho Hospital, where he underwent surgery and is now stable. Medical professionals indicated that he was fortunate; the bullet was just two millimeters away from a more serious injury that could have resulted in the loss of part of his intestine.

The Hellenic Police have launched an investigation into the shooting. Preliminary reports suggest that the gunfire may have originated from a migrant smuggler on the Turkish side of the border. The shooting occurred during an operation where smugglers attempted to move migrants through an area of dense vegetation, a situation that the border guards intervened to prevent.

ELAS is currently reviewing surveillance footage from cameras positioned along the river to determine the source of the gunfire and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The injured border guard, who has been with the force since its inception, is expected to see family members in the Intensive Care Unit shortly.