40 hurt as gangs of rioting wannabe EU migrants try to pull down 3m high security fence
RIOTING migrants STONED officials and police attempting to erect a security fence on the Greek-Macedonian border yesterday, leaving 40 people injured.
Rioting migrants throw stones at police by the Macedonia-Greece border
Migrants have erupted into violence after the Macedonian authorities installed a new super-fence along the border with Greece in a bid to stem the flow of asylum seekers trying to make it through Europe.
They are also protesting the hospitalisation of a 24-year-old Moroccan man who electrocuted himself after climbing a live electrical wire on a train.
He was rushed to hospital with extensive burns and remains in a serious condition.
Enraged migrants hurled rocks at police in protest
Macedonian police cower behind riot shields at rocks fly through the air during yesterday's clashes.
The violent, hour-long riot began yesterday when a group of around 250 migrants, mostly Moroccan, started throwing stones at Macedonian police.
Macedonian police officers used rubber bullets and stun guns against the migrants, who have been stranded at the border since Macedonia decided earlier this month to only let through migrants fleeing from the “war zone” countries of Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.
Greek officers, who were not being targeted by the migrants during the attack, interspersed themselves within the Macedonian officers in an attempt to protect them.
The violent clashes ended when other migrants intervened by holding white clothes as a sign of peace.
A migrant throws a tear gas canister back at police
Migrants run for cover as Macedonian police use tear gas
The group of around 250 migrants were met with tear gas and rubber bullets
Eighteen Macedonian police officers were injured during yesterday’s clashes, including two who have been hospitalised.
Although there is no official tally for injured migrants, Red Cross doctors say they treated treated 20 people for head injuries and breathing problems.
Around 800 migrants waiting near the Macedonian border are hoping to reach Western Europe
Macedonian army engineers building a fence along the border with Greece
A group of around 800 migrants, from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Somalia and Congo, have been camped along a railway track at the border, where they have been blocking rail traffic for eleven days.
A 41-year-old mother from Ahway, in Iran, 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.
A young migrant throws stones at police during the riot
A Moroccan man who was electrocuted on a train roof is treated by Red Cross doctors
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
“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.”
The fence is being built to ensure people can only cross into Greece from Macedonia at checkpoints
An aerial photo from a drone shows Macedonian police officers using riot shields during the incident
A spokesperson for the Macedonian government said that the fence was being erected to protect illegal crossing and to channel migrants through official checkpoints.
He said: “The border will remain open and all migrants from war-affected zones will be allowed to enter.”
Migrants queue at a transit centre in Macedonia after legally crossing the Greek border
Over 600,000 migrants have entered Europe through Greece this year.
Most of them continue north through the Balkans towards central and northern Europe.
Greece: Macedonian Army erects metal fence on Greek border
Migrants have recently clashed with police in Calais, Serbia and Germany as tightening border controls cause tensions boil over.