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Tensions High on Greece-Macedonia Border Following Migrant Clash


Migrant men display used tear gas canisters apparently used by Macedonian police during yesterday riots at the fence in the makeshift camp of the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, April 11, 2016.
Migrant men display used tear gas canisters apparently used by Macedonian police during yesterday riots at the fence in the makeshift camp of the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, April 11, 2016.

Tensions remain high on the Idomeni border crossing a day after Macedonian police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at hundreds of migrants as they tried to break through a border fence on the Greek side.

Dozens of migrants continued to gather on the Greek side of the fence Monday, but no clashes have been reported.

Medical aid charities said nearly 300 people were treated for injuries after Sunday's flare-up, the majority for breathing problems from the tear gas, and others for wounds caused by rubber bullets.

Macedonian officials said 23 security force members suffered injuries, many from stone-throwing protesters.

Tensions had mounted in the Idomeni camp after rumors had spread that Macedonia would be opening its border.

More than 10,000 migrants and refugees have been stranded at the Idomeni border crossing in northern Greece since mid-February after the Balkan nations closed off access to their borders.

Macedonia and other Balkan countries to its north have also closed their borders, on what was once the busiest migrant route to central Europe.

The European Union has said it will only accept war refugees from Syria and Iraq, as well as those from other countries who are eligible for asylum.

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