EPA•REUTERS•AFP There were violent clashes on the Italy Austria border today

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Hundreds of masked hooligans aimed fireworks at officers guarding the Alpine Brenner pass, who in turned fired back tear gas canisters in a desperate bid to restore order. Violence erupted when around 500 ultra left-wing agitators descended on the mountain pass - a key crossing point between Italy and Austria - to protest against Vienna's fought stance on migration.

Austria has unveiled plans to build a huge fence at the pass and station soldiers to repel a wave of migrants expected to arrive in Italy this summer. Authorities in the central European state fear it could be overwhelmed by refugees and migrants trying to reach Germany unless it takes the drastic measures.

AFP Police fired tear gas as they tried to restore order

AFP Anarchists descended on the Brenner Pass in the Alps

EPA Around 500 people were involved in the protests

EPA Anarchists protested against border measures at the Brenner Pass

But their actions have sparked fury in Italy, which has made a number of outspoken attacks on the plan including comparing bringing in border controls to Nazi Germany. And today anarchists from a cross the continent descended on the area, waving red flags and banners calling for the end of borders and a policy of unlimited immigration. Italian newspaper Corriera della Sera reported earlier this week that the protest had been organised by an anarchist group from Trentino, northern Italy, and was expected to attract demonstrators from abroad. Lines of heavily armoured riot police were deployed to tackle the anarchists, who began their protest at around 2.30pm.

EPA There are deep divisions in Europe over how to handle the migrant crisis

EPA At least one police officer was injured in the clashes

EPA Protestors apparently aimed fireworks at the police

REUTERS Protestors also set blazes as they rioted in the street

Amid violent scenes the rioters set off fireworks and started fires in the road, whilst officers responded with shield charges and tear gas canisters. Italian newspaper Ansa reported that at least one officer was injured in the clashes and more than a dozen protestors were arrested. The Brenner pass is expected to be a key migration route for refugees through Europe this summer following the EU's deal with Turkey, which is expected to drive migrants towards Italy rather than Greece. Under the agreement with Ankara all migrants arriving in Turkey are now sent back to Turkey, with one Syrian being plucked from a Turkish refugee camp in return for every one of their countryman sent back across the Adriatic.

REUTERS Hundreds of police were deployed to restore order

REUTERS Tensions between Austria and Italy are rising over the migrant crisis

REUTERS Italy has branded the plan to build a fence at the 'dangerous'

REUTERS Austria is taking an increasingly tough stance on migration