Protesters clashed with police guarding a border fence in northern Greece on Saturday, following a series of sea accidents that killed dozens of migrants and a warning from authorities that the death toll is likely to rise in coming weeks.

About 500 protesters, who traveled from Athens and several towns in Greece, were involved in the clashes near the border with Turkey after challenging a police cordon blocking access to the fence that spans more than 10 kilometers.

The demonstrators are demanding that Greece tear down the fence and allow refugees to cross by land instead of risking their lives on the sea crossing to Europe. The youths, many wearing hoods and balaclavas, hurled rocks at police who responded with tear gas and stun grenades.