Over to you: 5,000 migrants reach Serbia as Macedonia riot police let them pass

More than 5,000 migrants crossed into Serbia on Sunday, resuming a journey to western Europe after an overwhelmed Macedonia gave up its attempts to stem the flow. They arrived after crossing unhindered from Greece into Macedonia on Sunday when overwhelmed security forces abandoned efforts to stop them. Extra trains, and buses arrived from across Macedonia to take the migrants swiftly north to Serbia and the next step of a long journey towards European Union countries. “We expect the wave in the next day or two to be of a similar intensity,” said Serbian defence minister Bratislav Gasic, who said 5,000 people had arrived in one day. “Police are working in three shifts, papers are being issued around the clock.”

The Macedonian police told us ‘Welcome to Macedonia; trains and buses are waiting for you.’“

Migrant Abdullah Bilal

Tensions had been rising on the Macedonian border as the migrants headed into the country from Greece but were often left sleeping in the open as they waited to cross. Riot police had used tear gas and stun grenades to drive back crowds but were overwhelmed on Saturday as several thousand people tore through police lines or ran through nearby empty fields. However, the backlog created in Macedonia, which has faced criticism from aid agencies, has now reached Serbia. Huge queues formed as migrants from the Middle East, Africa and Asia waited for papers to legalise their transit north through Serbia, before they cross by foot into Hungary and the European Union. Meanwhile in Greece, a car ferry carrying 2,466 migrants from Greek islands docked in Athens on Sunday morning. It left again two hours later to pick up more. Almost all will head to Macedonia.

I passed one step but it is a long road to my destination. With Allah’s help I will go to Germany

MIgrant Mohannad Albayati, from Damascus

World Macedonia