Asylum seekers at Turkish border await entry to Europe
More than 3,000 asylum seekers have been camped near Turkey's northwestern border with Greece for the last 11 days waiting to cross to Europe. Some asylum seekers are waiting in the buffer zone between the Pazarkule-Kastanies border crossing and the adjacent fenced area. The elderly and children are the worst affected, especially when the temperature drops in the night. The Turkish government is providing them three meals a day in the camps in line with its humane policy toward refugees. On the contrary, the Greek border forces are firing tear gas shells and plastic bullets, hurling sound bombs and using water cannons to prevent asylum seekers from entering the country. The asylum seekers run to the Turkish side where first aid teams help them. Those who make it to Greece are beaten up by the Greek forces and sent back to Turkey's border province of Edirne. The condition of many of the wounded is critical, however, they are being treated at Turkish hospitals.