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In Pictures

Gallery|Refugees

Refugees attempt perilous Greece-Macedonia crossing

In freezing conditions, about 2,000 refugees from Idomeni camp try to cross closed border on journey to Western Europe.

Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
A Syrian family waits in Idomeni before starting out on their attempt to reach the Macedonian border. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
By Konstantinos Tsakalidis
Published On 16 Mar 201616 Mar 2016
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Idomeni, Greece – Refugees keep arriving at the Idomeni camp on Greece’s northern border with Macedonia in their thousands, becoming virtual prisoners as they are prevented from moving further into Europe.

They hope the current border closure might be lifted so they can continue their journey.

But freezing, wet weather conditions have turned the camp into an icy pool, making the wait in Idomeni impossible for many. The squalid conditions, combined with a shortage of food, medicine and drinking water have made the situation worse. 

This has triggered tensions and a generalised sense of anxiety.

It has been reported that a mysterious leaflet depicting a printed map and instructions on how to pass through the closed borders to the west of Idomeni is being shared among the refugees.

So, unable to tolerate the conditions, about 2,000 refugees this week resorted to a desperate attempt to find a way around the border fence, in order to cross to Macedonia.

During this attempt nearly 80 reporters and aid workers, including the author of this story, were arrested by Macedonian police.

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The attempt also resulted in the death of three refugees, who drowned trying to cross a river, and the detention of many others.

Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
Refugees carry an elderly, disabled man uphill as they head towards the border village of Chamilo. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
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Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
The refugees walk uphill towards the border at Chamilo. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
The crowd of refugees walks along a watery path through the village of Chamilo.[Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
More than 2,000 refugees form a long line as they make their way towards the Macedonian border. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
Refugees and migrants plead with police officers to let them continue their march. Police warned the refugees that if they cross into Macedonia the police might use force against them. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
Many refugees became exhausted on their long walk. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
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Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
A Syrian refugee attempts to cross Malarekas River carrying his child on his back. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
A young girl struggles to pass through the cold waters of Malarekas River, the biggest obstacle on their route. Three refugees drowned trying to cross it. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
A girl cries in panic as she is helped across the river by other refugees. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
A human chain of refugees, activists and journalists is created to help people cross the river. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
The long line of refugees crosses into Macedonia. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
Mohamed, from Syria, and his son rest in a field following the dangerous river crossing. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
Refugees and migrants continue their march after the river crossing. The end of the fence where they can cross the border from Greece to Macedonia is 1.5km away through the mountains. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
Refugees help a disable man climb uphill during their attempt to cross the Greek-Macedonia border. This journey is close to impossible for people with disabilities because of the harsh terrain. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
A woman from Syria carries her cat during the attempt to reach the border. [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
Refugees and migrants continue their journey, after crossing Malarekas River. The end of the fence where they can cross the border from Greece to Macedonia is 500m away through the mountain [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]
Refugees keep on arriving at Idomeni camp/ Please Do Not Use
A Macedonian military officer helps a child cross a stream after migrants and refugees cross the border, near Moin village [Konstantinos Tsakalidis/SOOC/Al Jazeera]


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