Turkish border guards are continuing to shoot and beat Syrian refugees trying to cross into Turkey, according to Human Rights Watch, which is calling on the country to investigate abuses.

The advocacy group said on Tuesday that Turkish border guards in March and April used excessive force against Syrians and a smuggler trying to reach Turkey, killing five people, including a child, and injuring 14 others.

The group also urged Turkey to reopen its border to Syrians.

Turkey, which is hosting 2.7 million Syrian refugees, rejects claims that its border guards shoot at refugees and says it has an open-door policy toward migrants, although new arrivals are rare.

Human Rights Watch researcher Gerry Simpson said: “Firing at traumatised men, women, and children fleeing fighting and indiscriminate warfare is truly appalling.”