TUNIS
The Tunisian authorities on Friday announced the temporary closure of Ben Gardane border crossing with Libya after violence broke out in the terminal amid an overwhelming flow of Egyptians fleeing Libya.
"A Tunisian policeman was shot and injured by mistake when border guards opened fire into the air in an attempt to disperse crowds of Egyptians and others who have been trying to cross into Tunisia," a Tunisian security source told Anadolu Agency on the condition of anonymity.
The Tunisian policemen used teargas to control the situation and close the crossing temporarily, he added.
The development came after two Egyptians were killed in a deadly stampede Thursday at the crossing.
Thousands of Egyptians have gathered at the terminal to cross into Tunisia from violence-wracked Libya.
On Thursday, Egypt evacuated 316 nationals from Tunisia.
Since mid-July, Libyan capital Tripoli has been ravaged by deadly fighting between Libyan forces and militiamen in an attempt to take control of the Tripoli airport, killing more than 97 people and injured hundreds others.
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