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Shoot-Out Among Migrants Leaves One Dead, Six Hurt In Serbia, Near Hungarian Border


Refugees and migrants from the Middle East in the forest in Serbia near the Hungarian border in June.
Refugees and migrants from the Middle East in the forest in Serbia near the Hungarian border in June.

A shoot-out between migrant groups in Serbia near the Hungarian border has left at least one person dead and six others wounded, Serbian state-run RTS television reports.

RTS on July 2 said a 16-year-old girl suffered serious injuries in the shoot-out in a forest outside of Subotica, about 160 kilometers north of Belgrade. The injured were taken to the capital for treatment.

Subotica Mayor Stevan Bakic said the victims -- mostly aged 20-30 -- did not have identity documents.

The report said police blocked access to the forest about a kilometer from the Hungarian border.

Authorities did not describe what caused the shoot-out, but local media said it occurred between Afghan and Pakistani migrants, most likely over human trafficking from the area to Hungary, a member of the European Union.

Migrants often use the so-called Balkan route in hopes of reaching Western Europe, many fleeing poverty or conflict in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

Based on reporting by AFP and RTS Television

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