Evros river: Greece accuses Turkey of forcibly 'pushing' migrants

Athens confirmed the death of a child who was part of the group rescued from the Evros River

Greece has accused Turkey of forcibly pushing a group of stranded migrants onto a small Greek island and leaving behind the body of a five-year-old child who died.

The migrants were trapped on an islet in the Evros river at the border between the two countries.

In a statement issued while visiting the area, Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said the group were now being provided medical treatment in Greece.

He said the 35 Syrians and three Palestinians had originally arrived on the Turkish side of the river.

"The Turkish authorities forced them to cross illegally into Greece," he said.

"It appears from statements that a 5-year-old child died on Turkish soil," he added. Greek officials would work with the Red Cross to ensure her body was recovered for a proper burial.

Greek police suggested the group had not been found earlier as the migrants, who included a pregnant woman, were "some 4km from the point initially declared, which was outside Greek territory".