Thirty-five migrants escaped from a temporary detention center in northern Greece after clashes broke out between detainees and police, authorities said. Seventeen of those who fled have since been recaptured, while a search remains underway for the remaining 18.

According to the Hellenic Police, the incident occurred late Saturday at a migrant detention facility in Sintiki, near the Bulgarian border. The unrest began when a group of migrants threw stones at security personnel, prompting the deployment of additional police units.

Police special forces used stun grenades to restore order, and the clashes continued into the early hours of Sunday.

The detention center houses around 450 migrants awaiting decisions on their asylum applications, a process that Greek authorities acknowledge can take a considerable amount of time.

Investigators said the escape occurred after part of the facility's perimeter fence was cut. Of the 35 people who fled, 17 have been apprehended, while efforts to locate the remaining escapees are continuing.

Five migrants were injured during the unrest and were taken to hospital for treatment, according to police.

Greece remains one of the main entry points into the European Union for irregular migration. The conservative government has recently tightened migration policies amid ongoing political debate over border security and asylum management. (ILKHA)