BELGRADE, May 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A migrant was killed in an exchange of fire with Serbian police during a control operation near a migrant camp close to the Croatian border, the interior ministry said Friday.

The incident occurred during a "reinforced control of migrant movements" between the town of Sid and the Croatian border, the ministry said in a statement.

"During the operation, irregular migrants opened fire on police. One migrant died and four other people were arrested on site," the ministry said.

Several individuals fled the scene and are currently being sought by police, it added.

Tens of thousands of Asian and African migrants cross the western Balkans every year trying to enter western Europe.

Serbian and Bosnian police authorities say criminal gangs have set up camps in border areas in recent years to organise the illegal passage of migrants.

Serbia recorded nearly 20,000 migrants in reception centres around the country in 2024, a decrease of 82 percent on the previous year, according to official figures.