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Macedonia migrants: Hundreds rush border forces | Macedonia migrants: Hundreds rush border forces |
(35 minutes later) | |
Hundreds of migrants have rushed at Macedonian border forces in an attempt to enter the country from Greece. | Hundreds of migrants have rushed at Macedonian border forces in an attempt to enter the country from Greece. |
The BBC's James Reynolds, at the scene, says dozens of families have managed to get through but many more people are being held back. | The BBC's James Reynolds, at the scene, says dozens of families have managed to get through but many more people are being held back. |
On Thursday, Macedonia declared a state of emergency in two border regions to cope with an influx of migrants, many from the Middle East. | On Thursday, Macedonia declared a state of emergency in two border regions to cope with an influx of migrants, many from the Middle East. |
The migrants are trying to reach northern European Union members. | The migrants are trying to reach northern European Union members. |
Macedonian police earlier fired tear gas to disperse the migrants. Razor wire has been rolled across the frontier to prevent people from entering. | |
Some 44,000 people have reportedly travelled through the country in the past two months, meeting little border resistance. | |
'Vulnerable categories' | 'Vulnerable categories' |
Our correspondent says hundreds of migrants crushed their way towards the border's security forces on Friday afternoon. | Our correspondent says hundreds of migrants crushed their way towards the border's security forces on Friday afternoon. |
A number of people reportedly fainted and were treated by aid workers. | |
The interior ministry on Friday said it would allow a "limited number of illegal migrants in vulnerable categories to enter Macedonia and they may be provided aid in accordance with the state's capacities". It gave no further details. | The interior ministry on Friday said it would allow a "limited number of illegal migrants in vulnerable categories to enter Macedonia and they may be provided aid in accordance with the state's capacities". It gave no further details. |
Police have issued temporary transit documents to 181 migrants in the past 24 hours. | |
Spokesman Ivo Kotevski told Reuters: "We are allowing entry to a number that matches our capacity to transport them or to give them appropriate medical care and treatment." | |
One 18-year-old Syrian man said he was able to cross overnight into Macedonia, but others were caught and driven back. | |
"I ran fast and escaped," he said. "They got my brother and most of the others and sent them back to Greece." | "I ran fast and escaped," he said. "They got my brother and most of the others and sent them back to Greece." |
In recent weeks there have been chaotic scenes at Gevgelija station, with migrants trying to clamber on board packed trains bound north. | In recent weeks there have been chaotic scenes at Gevgelija station, with migrants trying to clamber on board packed trains bound north. |
As well as Gevgelija, Macedonia declared a state of emergency in northern Kumanovo, where migrants attempt to travel on to Serbia, the next stop before entering Hungary, which is part of the EU. | As well as Gevgelija, Macedonia declared a state of emergency in northern Kumanovo, where migrants attempt to travel on to Serbia, the next stop before entering Hungary, which is part of the EU. |
Greece itself has seen almost 160,000 people landing on its shores since January, the UN estimates, with 50,000 arriving in the past month alone. | Greece itself has seen almost 160,000 people landing on its shores since January, the UN estimates, with 50,000 arriving in the past month alone. |
There were fears that by effectively shutting off its borders, Macedonia would create a backlog of migrants at its frontiers. | There were fears that by effectively shutting off its borders, Macedonia would create a backlog of migrants at its frontiers. |
Those trying to reach northern and western Europe come from the Middle East, Africa and Asia, but many arriving in Macedonia are escaping the conflict in Syria. | Those trying to reach northern and western Europe come from the Middle East, Africa and Asia, but many arriving in Macedonia are escaping the conflict in Syria. |
Are you in Macedonia? Have you been affected by what is happening at the borders? You can share your comments and experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in Macedonia? Have you been affected by what is happening at the borders? You can share your comments and experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |