1000 migrants break the siege and get into Macedonia border

More than 1,000 people from a camp in northern Greece have got around a border fence and crossed into Macedonian territory on Monday, according to witnesses.

A large group of refugees and migrants reportedly marched away from the sprawling tent city near Idomeni, where at least 12,000 people have been stranded in filthy conditions since Macedonia and other nations blocked their route north along the so-called Western Balkan route. Later, a second group of 500 set off from Idomeni to follow them.

Heading west from the camp in a long, snaking cavalcade via muddy paths, and wrapped up in coats and hats, they carried their belongings in rucksacks and bags. The group included many children, some walking, others pushed in strollers.

Some made victory signs as they walked along. There was no sign of police following them.

When they reached a river, the travellers passed a rope across it and formed a “human chain” to cross, Reuters photographer Stojan Nenov said. Some carried children across on their shoulders.