Chaos ensues after migrants break fence on Greek-Macedonia border

World Today

Hundreds of desperate migrants broke through a security fence on the Greece-Macedonia border Monday. Police pushed back by using tear gas.

CCTV America’s Daniel Ryntjes reports.

Idomeni refugee camp in Greece is stretched beyond its limits. These migrants want to cross into Macedonia, so that they can continue their journey north.

Frustration has mounted among the several thousand at Idomeni. They forced the gates open and threw stones, as Macedonian security forces repelled the group with tear gas and stun grenades.

Some used the chaos to crawl under the fence and continue their uncertain journey north.

The Macedonian restrictions are part of a tightening of borders across the Balkan route north — a domino effect partly due to EU member Austria, which is imposing caps on migrants.

Greek authorities say they’re overwhelmed. So far this year, more than 111,000 migrants have arrived on their shores, many entering through the Port of Piraeus.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is pushing for a coordinated approach among EU countries to share the burden. She’s preparing for talks with Turkey to find a way to manage the flow.