SANLIURFA (AA) - Tight security measures were taken at Akcakale border gate in Turkey's southeastern province of Sanliurfa due to the stampede between Syrian shelter-seekers and Turkish security forces.
Security forces roped in the border gate and surrounding area, and ambulances were kept ready following the incident.
One police officer was seriously wounded and later died at a hospital with 12 injured others including a soldier.
Abdulhakim Ayhan, Mayor of Akcakale, said, "Approximately 1,000 Syrians attempted to enter Turkey through the Akcakale border gate without passports and our security forces prevented their entry. After our police repelled them, they stoned our border gate. Then, they set our sheds at the buffer zone on fire. We put out the fire and backed away thinking the attacks were over. It was after we went back to the administrative building when we realized they began firing guns randomly. The worst of all is that one of our policemen was seriously injured and taken to Sanliurfa hospital. The situation is settled down now, however, apprehension dominates the region," in regards to the incident.
Meanwhile, all humanitarian assistance materials on way to Syria are now waiting on the Turkish side of the border after today's stampede.
