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Migrants clash with Macedonian police as fence goes up on Greek border Migrants clash with Macedonian police as fence goes up on Greek border
(35 minutes later)
Migrants on the Greek-Macedonian border have attacked police with stones, enraged by the sight of Macedonian soldiers erecting a fence along the border, and an accident that injured a young Moroccan man. Migrants on the Greece-Macedonia border have attacked police with stones, enraged by the sight of Macedonian soldiers erecting a fence along the border, and an accident that injured a young Moroccan man.
Macedonia’s interior ministry said 18 Macedonian officers were injured on Saturday in the brief but intense clashes. Most of the officers received minor injuries but two were taken to hospital in the nearby town of Gevgelija.Macedonia’s interior ministry said 18 Macedonian officers were injured on Saturday in the brief but intense clashes. Most of the officers received minor injuries but two were taken to hospital in the nearby town of Gevgelija.
There was no official tally of injured migrants, although Macedonian police targeted them with stun grenades and plastic bullets. Doctors from the Red Cross and other non-governmental organisations said they treated 20 people for head injuries and breathing problems.There was no official tally of injured migrants, although Macedonian police targeted them with stun grenades and plastic bullets. Doctors from the Red Cross and other non-governmental organisations said they treated 20 people for head injuries and breathing problems.
Related: Stranded migrants sew mouths shut in protest against Balkan border controlsRelated: Stranded migrants sew mouths shut in protest against Balkan border controls
The accidental electrocution at the top of a train carriage of a 24-year-old Moroccan man, who suffered severe burns, sparked the unrest among the migrants, many of whom have been stranded at the border since Macedonia decided earlier this month, along with Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia, to let through only those from the “war zone” countries of Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.The accidental electrocution at the top of a train carriage of a 24-year-old Moroccan man, who suffered severe burns, sparked the unrest among the migrants, many of whom have been stranded at the border since Macedonia decided earlier this month, along with Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia, to let through only those from the “war zone” countries of Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.
More than 600,000 refugees and other migrants from the Middle East, Africa and Asia have entered Europe through Greece this year, many after making the short sea crossing from Turkey. Most of them continue on a long trek through the Balkans towards central and northern Europe.More than 600,000 refugees and other migrants from the Middle East, Africa and Asia have entered Europe through Greece this year, many after making the short sea crossing from Turkey. Most of them continue on a long trek through the Balkans towards central and northern Europe.
Greek police said the 24-year-old man is in a serious condition, with extensive burns, and has been transferred to a hospital in the city of Thessaloniki, 80km (50 miles) south of the Greek-Macedonian border. Greek police said the 24-year-old man is in a serious condition, with extensive burns, and has been transferred to a hospital in the city of Thessaloniki, 80km (50 miles) south of the Greece-Macedonia border.
Moroccan nationals allegedly formed the majority of approximately 250 people who threw stones at Macedonian police. Among the 800 migrants who are stuck at the border are citizens of Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Somalia and Congo.Moroccan nationals allegedly formed the majority of approximately 250 people who threw stones at Macedonian police. Among the 800 migrants who are stuck at the border are citizens of Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Somalia and Congo.
Greek police didn’t intervene to stop the migrants but did, at one point, place themselves in front of their Macedonian colleagues, as the migrants would not target the Greeks. Greek police did not intervene to stop the migrants but at one point placed themselves in front of their Macedonian colleagues, as the migrants would not target the Greeks.
The clash ended in less than an hour when other migrants intervened, holding white clothing as a sign of peace.The clash ended in less than an hour when other migrants intervened, holding white clothing as a sign of peace.
Macedonia’s government spokesman, Aleksandar Gjorgjiev, said the country has started to erect a fence on its southern border with Greece in order to prevent illegal crossings and to channel the flow of migrants through the official checkpoint. Macedonia’s government spokesman, Aleksandar Gjorgjiev, said the country has started to erect a fence on its southern border with Greece to prevent illegal crossings and to channel the flow of migrants through the official checkpoint.
Related: Migrants attack Macedonian police as construction of Greek border fence begins
Gjorgjiev said: “The border will remain open and all migrants from the war-affected zones will be allowed to enter.”Gjorgjiev said: “The border will remain open and all migrants from the war-affected zones will be allowed to enter.”
The migrants are camped along the railway tracks, blocking rail traffic for the 11th consecutive day.The migrants are camped along the railway tracks, blocking rail traffic for the 11th consecutive day.
Fatemeh, 41, from Ahwaz, in Iran, who declined to give her last name for fear of reprisals, said: “I have been here for 10 days with my two sons. We have decided to return to Athens and see what we will do.” Fatemeh, 41, from Ahwaz, in Iran, who declined to give her full name for fear of reprisals, said: “I have been here for 10 days with my two sons. We have decided to return to Athens and see what we will do.”
She said: “There is no way to return to Iran, only prison awaits us. We understand that the Syrians, the Afghans and the Iraqis are at war, but we also have a big political problem. There is no freedom in our country.”She said: “There is no way to return to Iran, only prison awaits us. We understand that the Syrians, the Afghans and the Iraqis are at war, but we also have a big political problem. There is no freedom in our country.”