80 East Germans escaped to WEst in '79, Bonn says

April 11, 1980

Last year 80 East Germans reached the West German side safely, according to a report from the West German border defense force. Most people who tried to get across were caught before they came to the final barrier of security fencing, mines, and automatic scatter guns. At least 5 persons were reported killed or injured in escape attempts; 18 others were detained near the frontier.