Greece police pursue, shoot migrant trafficking suspect

ATHENS - 14 November 2017: Police in northern Greece have shot a migrant trafficking suspect who allegedly was transporting 10 Pakistani migrants inside a van that crashed during a highway chase, ABC News reported on Monday.

The 22-year-old suspect was driving a van with the migrants inside on Monday and ignored a signal to stop for a search, a police statement said, adding that a chase ensued and the van crashed.

The man was shot in the hand and buttock after he allegedly attacked and tried to take the handgun of an arresting officer, according to the press release.

He was taken to a hospital, along with the officer and the migrants, who all suffered light injuries when the van overturned.

The number of migrants and refugees trying to cross from Turkey to Greece has risen sharply in recent months.