Storming the barricades: Hundreds of migrants smash their way through Hungary's razor-wire border with Serbia after hurling rocks at riot police who hit back with tear gas and water cannon

- Frustrated refugees finally lost their patience and demanded to be allowed to cross Serbia's border into Hungary
- They have been stuck on the Serbian side of the crossing since Hungary finished erecting its razor wire fences
- Several hundred refugees stormed the fences on Wednesday, throwing rocks and bottles at Hungarian police
- Riot officers responded by firing tear gas and water cannon, sparking a stampede among panicked refugees
- Last night many were seen breaking through the barricade while outnumbered riot police sheltered behind shields
- Hungary's heavy-handed approach has been condemned by the UN Secretary-General and human rights groups


Hundreds of migrants smashed their way through razor-wire fences and into Hungary after chaos at the country's border yesterday saw them hurl rocks at riot police who hit back with tear gas and water cannon.

After an afternoon of battles in which Hungarian riot police launched tear gas and unleashed water cannon on the thousands of migrants gathered along the country's border with Serbia, many finally managed to break through the new 13ft-high fences.

Yesterday evening the crowd were seen pouring through the border crossing while Hungarian police reinforcements sheltered behind their riot gear. However, fresh batches of tear gas sent panic into the crowd - with the refugees either beaten back or held in 'no man's land' between the two countries.

The confrontation has threatened to cause a political row, with the United Nations Secretary-General and Serbian government officials joining human rights groups in condemning Hungary's actions.

Last night Serbia's prime minister Aleksandar Vucic accused Hungary of 'brutal' and 'non-European' behaviour towards migrants and warned the neighbouring country not to fire tear gas onto its territory again. He also urged the European Union to respond.

Refugees were locked in a standoff with about 400 Hungarian riot police, while Serbian police officers were deployed between the two groups in a bid to persuade the desperate migrants to back down. Three Hungarian military Humvees, mounted with guns, also arrived at the border.























Speaking during a visit to the United States, Serbian prime minister Aleksandar Vucic added: 'We will not allow anyone to humiliate us. I call on the European Union to react, for its members to behave in line with European values.

'If the EU does not react, we will find a way to protect our borders and European values as well.'

Serbia said Hungary has told it that the border at Roszke-Horgos will be closed for the next 30 days, while the Hungarian prime minister also revealed plans to build fences along portions of its border with Croatia.

Meanwhile, Hungary's foreign minister says he has asked Serbia to act against refugees 'attacking' Hungarian police at the border.

Yesterday the site was a scene of chaos with one man bare-chested, with his bandana round his head-Rambo style, seen limping out of the melee on a crutch before being helped into an ambulance.

According to the Hungarian press, migrants were said to have been chanting, 'Open! Open!' as well as 'Allah Hu Akbar' as helicopters circle overhead.

As the skirmish continued many families got onto buses to a nearby camp on the Serbian-side.

Yesterday morning refugees stuck at the Hungary-Serbia border finally lost their patience, storming the gates as riot police threatened to tear gas them.

Around 200 frustrated refugees blocked on the Serbian side of the border threw plastic water bottlers at rows of helmeted riot police and chanted demands that the border be re-opened.

Dozens of refugees chanting 'Open the Door' threw their weight and shook the gates in an attempt to break them.

Some women pushed to the front of the crowd and held small babies and children above their heads as they faced police in an obvious appeal for mercy, but no one made it through.

Police responded by firing tear gas and charging at the crowds

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