Refugees and migrants take the fence down at Diavata and head to Idomeni

It is estimated that about 20,000 people are not able to pass the borders and are scattered all over Greece

Thousands of refugees and migrants arrive every day at Greece’s main port Piraeus from the Greek islands. With FYROM having closed its borders, the situation created is suffocating, since the refugees and migrants are not allowed to continue their journey to Europe and are trapped in Greece.

It is estimated that about 20,000 people are not able to pass the borders and are scattered all over Greece.

On Thursday noon, the refugees and migrants took the fence down at Diavata transit center to head towards Idomeni and try to enter FYROM. Many people have packed up their things and have already left the camp.

Mayor of Thessaloniki Yiannis Boutaris, who was visiting the site at the moment the incident occurred, stated “the situation is completely out of control.”

“They have made holes in the fence and they leave the camp. Those who leave are mainly young people” adding that “neither police nor the army can prevent them because there is fear of causing incidents”.

Moreover, shortly before 11 am, the refugees and migrants who had been stuck in Tempi Valley decided to go on foot to Idomeni, bypassing the police officers who tried to stop them twice.

On Thursday morning, the Blue Star I arrived in Piraeus from Chios and Mytilene carrying 1,352 people, while another boat is expected to arrive at noon.

Since, FYROM has closed its border, thousands of people are trapped in Greece, which has been turned into a vast hotspot.

Even if the refugees manage to get on a bus to go to Idomeni, northern Greece, it is not certain when and whether they will enter FYROM so as to continue their journey to Europe.

Police stop the buses heading to Idomeni and people wait at parking lots and gas stations or temporary municipal places along Athens-Idomeni route, while there are many who decide to reach Idomeni on foot.