Latest violence between illegal migrants at NW port

Police on Thursday afternoon said rival groups of illegal immigrants assembled at the port of Igoumenitsa, in extreme northwest Greece, clashed earlier in the day, resulting in a 22-year-old Algerian being injured.

The rival groups of illegals were identified as Kurds and Algerians.

According to reports, police dispersed the illegal migrants from the port, with most fleeing into the hilly brushland close to the port, where they have set up temporary shelters.

The wounded man was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, while police remained at the scene to prevent renewed violence.

The incident marked the third injury over the past three days stemming from clashes between illegal immigrants at the port.

Igoumenitsa, along with the western port city of Patras, further south, are viewed as “gateways” to western Europe — via Italy-bound ferry boats — by mostly Third World and Asian migrants who previously sneaked into Greece. Heightened security by Greek authorities, shipping companies and foreign law enforcement of late has severely hampered efforts by illegals and migrant smugglers to board vessels, resulting in practically thousands of migrants congregating near port areas.