A number of desperate refugees have set themselves alight in camps during protests over the shuttering of European borders.

With flames crawling up his arm, a young man was photographed running through a crowd of destitute migrants stranded at the Greek-Macedonian border.

Fire spread across the man's chest and body as some refugees tried to douse the flames while others fled from him.

View photos Desperation led the man to set himself alight. Source: AFP More

The flames were extinguished and the man taken to hospital. Greek authorities said the injuries were not life threatening, the UK Telegraph reports.

Other refugees also reportedly set themselves alight.

The scene of attempted self-immolation occurred at the muddy, makeshift refugee camp at Idomeni where around 12,000 Syrians sit among tents and blankets with no way forward to no home to return to.

View photos Other refugees tried to douse the flames. Source: AFP More





The border was shut earlier this month to stem the flow of people fleeing the war in the Middle East.

The refugees – men and women of all ages, and children – are waiting in hope and desperation for Macedonia to reopen its border to allow them to resume their journey through the Balkans to a possible better life.

The episode comes as the United Nations refugee agency said it would suspend operations in the region in protest against the "mandatory detention" many asylum seekers have suddenly become subject to.

View photos The man sustained minor injuries, but others followed his desperate example. Source: Reuters More

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