Migrants Tear-Gassed In Breakout Attempt

Several hundred people among thousands trapped at the Greece-Macedonia border face police resistance as they try to scale a fence.

Police have fired tear gas at migrants who were trying to break through from Greece into Macedonia after the border was blocked.

Footage shows people in masks gathering near a fence close to the northern Greek town of Idomeni as plumes of gas erupted around them.

A Greek police source said hundreds of migrants had gathered to demand the opening of the frontier before trying to scale the fence.

Some sources said Macedonian police used the tear gas and stun grenades to prevent the 500 or so migrants breaking through.

The migrants responded by throwing rocks at police. 

Inside Idomeni Refugee Camp

Greek media reported that plastic bullets were also used and that Greek police stood by, not interfering.

Macedonian police claimed the tear gas had not come from their side, blaming Greek police.

Video appears to show some of the migrants breaking through the fence before a series of small explosions - possibly from stun grenades - forced some them to retreat.

The Greek spokesman for migrant issues described what he claimed was Macedonian force as "indiscriminate" and "dangerous and deplorable". 

 Migrants Cross To Macedonia

Achilleas Tzemos, from the charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, said several migrants were treated for respiratory problems.

More than 11,000 people have been stranded at Idomeni after Macedonia and other Balkan countries to its north closed their borders, shutting off what was the busiest migrant route to central Europe.

The EU has said it will only accept refugees from Syria and Iraq who can prove they are fleeing from war as well as people from other countries in genuine need of asylum.

Many of those in Idomeni are from other countries such as Iran, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Border Police Accused Of Beatings

In late February, Macedonian police tear gassed some 300 migrants after they broke through a cordon and raced towards a railway track between the two countries.

It prompted the EU to voice "concern" about heavy-handedness.

On Saturday, five people drowned off the Greek island of Samos, the first deaths in the Aegean Sea since a controversial EU-Turkey deal to stem the flow of refugees took effect three weeks ago.