KOMOTINI, Greece

Greece has started construction of an additional 35-kilometer (21.7-mile) steel fence on the banks of the Meric River to prevent crossings by irregular immigrants from neighboring Türkiye.

Steel fence construction has started on the banks of the river (known as Maritsa in Greek), which marks much of the Turkish-Greek border, under a contract with two companies.

An additional 35-km (21.7 mi), 5-meter-high (16.4-feet) steel fence will be built between the towns of Dimetoka and Sofulu, located near the Turkish border.

The total cost of the additional structures and repairs along with the new fence will reach approximately €100 million ($111 million).

On the Greek side, there are already two steel fences, one 12.5 km (7.7 miles) long and the other 26.5 km (16.4 mi) long, for a total of 39 km (24.2 mi).

Many irregular migrants from the Mideast, Asia, or Africa try to make their way illegally into Türkiye to then cross the border into Greece to enter the European Union.