The discovery of 12 persons frozen to death has sparked a diplomatic spat between Turkey and Greece

By Mia Stevens

Officials claimed Wednesday that 12 migrants were found dead in a tiny Turkish village near the Greek border, a week after an unusual winter storm buried both nations in snow.

The dozen migrants died at Ipsala, a border town frequently utilized by migrants hoping to join the European Union, according to Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu.

The origins of the migrants and why they were stuck in the freezing temperatures are unknown, but Greece and Turkey have blamed each other for the catastrophe.

Soylu said on Twitter that Greek border officers turned the party away and robbed them of their shoes and clothing. He shared indistinct photographs that looked to show the half-dressed bodies of at least eight people lying in a pool of blood.

Direct words from Greek Immigration Minister Notis Mitarachi states, “The death of 12 migrants on the Turkish border near Ipsala is a tragedy,” he said in a statement. “But the truth behind this incident bears no resemblance to the false propaganda pushed out by my counterpart.”
Mitarachi said that the migrants “never made it to the border.” and “Any suggestion they did, or indeed were pushed back into Turkey is utter nonsense,” he said. “Rather than pushing out unfounded claims Turkey needs to live up to its obligations and work to prevent these dangerous journeys.”