Greek authorities have told German media that they are going to evict the makeshift migrant camp near the Gevgelija border crossing with Macedonia, where up to 10,000 people stayed during the past months, as Macedonia closed the border. People currently living there will be offered relocation to more permanent camps further away from the border. The camp near the village of Sehovo/Idomeni contributed to several major incidents, when migrants would attempt to force their way through or around the border fence, leading to a number of drownings and other fatalities.
About 8,000 migrants are currently staying in the camp. German magazine Spiegel reports that Greece plans to evacuate the camp during this week, and activists on the ground say that Greek police is restricting their access to the tent city, which was recently hit by reports of crime epidemics and infighting among the residents.
Migrants staying in Idomeni were fearful of leaving the site, believing they are be more likely to be deported to Turkey if they stay in some of the other, permanent camps. They were also hopeful that Macedonia will eventually re-open the border allowing them to be the first to resume their trip toward core EU countries. Macedonia closed the border after recipient countries announced they are not taking in any more refugees coming through the Balkan route, and the closure was made permanent after EU and Turkey reached their agreement on managing the crisis.