ATHENS – After 38 migrants stranded on an Evros River outlet were rescued by Greek authorities – who had said they weren’t in Greek territory – the New Democracy government accused Turkey of sending them there.

The incident, in which they were stranded for days and a 5-year-old girl died after being stung by a scorpion was “another attempt by Turkey to weaponize migration, and possibly create a border issue as well,” the Greek Foreign Ministry said.

Greek police said they found 35 Syrians and three Palestinians, among them one pregnant woman and seven children, who had been hiding in Greek territory after crossing the river from Turkey.

According to their testimony, they were encouraged by Turkish military police to enter Greek territory, where they were eventually picked up in the Lavara area and taken to a Reception and Identification Center.