Families separated as chaos ensues at Macedonian border

GEVGELIJA, Macedonia - The Macdonian government decided on Thursday to stem the flow of irregular migrants entering the country by holding them at the border with Greece, in a dry and dusty no-man's land just outside the city of Gevgelija.

It is unclear as to why such measures were taken. The migrants' stories were all the same. They intended only to pass through the country in search of a safer and more hopeful future in Western Europe. 

In the scarcely shaded land, conditions for the migrants were unbearable. Necessities like clean water and basic hygeine supplies were scarce. Severely high temperatures during the day and low temperatures during the night left migrants without a moment of comfort. Perhaps even more painful was the lack of information as to why and for how long they would be left to languish in a makeshift camp at the border between Greece and Macedonia. Conditions made the camp like a boiling pot ready to explode.

After several minor clashes between desperate migrants and the police, it was decided on Friday that migrants would be permitted to pass to the train station. Small groups of women, children, elders and the ill were given entry first. Rumours and then the ultimate annoucement of the plans sparked heavy tensions. Migrants started panicking and crowding the police. The scene was utter chaos. Macedonian officers beat the migrants back with truncheons and lobbed stun grenades, setting off blinding flashes and huge bangs.

Panicked refugees ran for cover as smoke spewed from the grenades. Women screamed, cradling their children in their arms.

In the confusion, families were separated, some left in Macedonia and others pushed onto the Greek side of the border. Children stood in tears searching for one or both parents, while parents scoured the area for their missing children.