(ANSA) - SKOPJE - The situation at the border between Macedonia and Greece remains explosive and extremely critical.

Over 7,000 migrants and refugees who have arrived from the Middle East are awaiting to cross the border in order to continue their trip along the Balkan route with the objective of reaching Germany and other rich countries in northern Europe.

After violent clashes yesterday, when a few hundred migrants exasperated by the wait stormed a barbed-wire fence, with Macedonian police reacting with tear gas and stun grenades, tension was always palpable and there is no visible way out for the thousands who have remained stranded in Idomeni, the last outpost in Greece. Macedonian authorities authorize a limited number of entries, a decision following other countries on the Balkan route, starting with Austria, which has caused a domino effect on Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia. No more than 580 people are allowed to enter daily, only Syrian and Iraqi nationals, while Afghans and representatives of other nationalities are not permitted to cross.

The humanitarian situation is highly critical, with indescribable hygienic-sanitary conditions and lack of food.

Thousands of migrant landings are meanwhile being reported in the Greek islands from nearby Turkey. (ANSA).