
Police fired tear gas at migrants as they tried to break through a border fence from Greece into Macedonia in the latest violence to hit the migrant crisis, leaving 260 people injured.

The incident took place near the Idomeni border crossing in northern Greece, a flashpoint where more than 11,200 people have been stranded after Balkan states closed off the migrant route in mid-February.

A Greek police source said hundreds of migrants gathered to demand the opening of the frontier and tried to force the fence, prompting Macedonian police to fire tear gas.

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Around 260 migrants were reportedly injured in the border clashes after police fired tear gas at the crowds by the fence

Taking action: One young migrants hurls back a tear gas canister during clashs at the Greek-Macedonian border

Storming forward: Some of the migrants remonstrate with the border guards at the razor wire fence in Greece

Aggression: Refugees throw tear gas capsules back into Macedonian riot police at the Greece-Macedonia border in Idomeni

Protest: Migrants try to rip down part of a metal border fence as Macedonian police with shields stand guard

Roar: A refugee points at a helicopter circling above as migrants clashed with Macedonian soldiers today

On the move: A man calls to other refugees to follow his lead as part of the wire fencing is torn down along the border

Halted: Macedonian riot police throw tear gas at terrified migrants to stop them crossing the border today

Struggling but safe: One young lady is helped away from the deluge of teargas near the Greek village of Idomeni

Desperate for support: Several young men appeal for help as they gather near the border close to the village of Idomeni

Protesting migrants carry a fellow injured migrant during clashes with Macedonian police next to a border fence

Under attack: One young migrant attempts to flee a cannister of teargas from the Macedonian police near the border

Macedonian police confirmed the incident but said the tear gas had not come from their side.

'There are some incidents on the Greek side of the border. Greek police are using tear gas near the border with Macedonia. It is calm so far on the Macedonian side of the border,' a senior Macedonian police official told AFP.

The protest came after rumours in the squalid and overcrowded Idomeni camp that Macedonia was going to open the border. Similar rumours a fortnight ago also triggered an unsuccessful attempt to rush the fence.

Efforts by the Greek authorities to persuade migrants to leave Idomeni and move to nearby reception centres have not been successful, with many people preferring to stay put in the hope the border will be opened.

In late Feburary, Macedonian police tear gassed some 300 migrants after they broke through a Greek police cordon and raced towards a railway track between the two countries, prompting the European Union to voice 'concern' about heavy-handedness.

Today's clashes came a day after 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.

Ready for action: Heavily armoured riot police on the Macedonian border stand guard to prevent migrants from approaching the fence

Facing tough resistance: Many of the migrants were hit by plastic bullets and tear gas as they tried to cross the border fence

Striking out: The riot police fired plastic bullets and plenty of tear gas canisters as the crowds approached the fence

The news comes as EU ministers visited Turkey today, urging the country to carefully implement a deal on returning migrants and warning they would be keeping a close eye out for potential abuses

Silent protest: 'Open the borders' reads the large homemade placard around the neck of one young migrant near the border

Standing firm: One young man with his face covered with a scarf stands up against the border forces in Idomeni

The UNHCR said this week it was concerned for 13 people who were deported without being allowed to apply for asylum, while Amnesty has said Turkey could not be considered a 'safe country' for the return of refugees

The news comes as EU ministers visited Turkey today, urging the country to carefully implement a deal on returning migrants and warning they would be keeping a close eye out for potential abuses.

A delegation led by Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, whose country currently holds the European Union presidency, visited Istanbul nearly a week after Greece began shipping migrants back to Turkey under a highly controversial deal to halt mass migration into Europe.

Rights activists have slammed the pact, arguing that Turkey is not a safe country for refugees, and raising concern that refugees would not be given their right to apply for asylum before being deported.

Koenders held talks with Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in which he highlighted 'the importance of respecting humanitarian law and international agreements', said a statement from the Dutch government.

'The Turkish authorities endorse these principles, and that is of key importance. We will keep a very close eye on this,' said Koenders.

Koenders also met with the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) and rights group Amnesty International.

The UNHCR said this week it was concerned for 13 people who were deported without being allowed to apply for asylum, while Amnesty has said Turkey could not be considered a 'safe country' for the return of refugees.

'Reports of abuse should be carefully dealt with and the European Commission must be given the chance to examine these reports before any conclusions are drawn,' said Koenders.

He was accompanied by ministers and state secretaries from France, Malta, Italy, Slovakia and Portugal, who also visited Greece on Saturday.

Making their point: Many of the young men and women gathered at the border in hope of persuading the guards to open the fence

Today's clashes came a day after 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

Unrest: The protest came after rumours in the squalid and overcrowded Idomeni camp that Macedonia was going to open the border. Similar rumours a fortnight ago also triggered an unsuccessful attempt to rush the fence

Running for cover: Migrants desperately try to cover their mouths from the effects of the tear gas near the border fence