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Macedonia migrants: Hundreds rush border forces Macedonia migrants: Hundreds rush border forces
(about 1 hour 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 some 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 to cope with migrants - many from the Middle East - who are trying to reach northern EU states.
The migrants are trying to reach northern European Union members. The UN urged both Greece and Macedonia to tackle a "deteriorating situation".
Macedonian police earlier fired tear gas to disperse the migrants. Razor wire has been rolled across the frontier to prevent people from entering.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.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.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.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."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. Our correspondent says he later saw some families being allowed to cross - they smiled with relief as they walked to a train station so they could head north to Serbia, Hungary and the rest of Europe.
"I ran fast and escaped," he said. "They got my brother and most of the others and sent them back to Greece." The UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, on Friday expressed concern for "thousands of vulnerable refugees and migrants, especially women and children, now massed on the Greek side of the border amid deteriorating conditions".
It urged Macedonia to "establish an orderly and protection-sensitive management of its borders" while appealing to Greece to "enhance registration and reception arrangements" on its side of the border.
The UNHCR also said it had been assured by Macedonia the border "will not be closed in the future", but did not elaborate.
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. A German journalist with Bild, Paul Ronzheimer, said he had witnessed a Greek border guard explaining to a group of Syrian refugees from Aleppo how to cross into Macedonia.
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. Speaking to the BBC's Outside Source programme, he said he had asked the guard why he was helping them cross illegally.
According to Ronzheimer, "he replied 'we can't handle the situation, there's hundreds of thousands of migrants in Greece right now and we want them out - they don't want to stay in Greece, they want to go to Germany'."
The migrants trying to reach northern and western Europe come from the Middle East, Africa and Asia. 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.
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