This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/two-men-try-to-hang-themselves-in-the-middle-of-athens-as-refugee-crisis-in-greece-worsens-a6897041.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Two men 'try to hang themselves in the middle of Athens' as refugee crisis in Greece worsens Greece strands thousands of refugees on islands as border restrictions drive crisis 'causing suicide attempts'
(about 3 hours later)
Pictures of two men appearing to attempt suicide in the middle of a public square have emerged highlighting the increasingly desperate plight of thousands of refugees stranded in Greece.  The Greek government is trapping thousands of refugees on islands in the Aegean Sea after ordering ferries to stop transporting them to the mainland.
 Following Macedonia’s sudden decision to close its border to anyone but Syrians and Iraqis, tens of thousands of migrants have been left trapped in Greece, many without adequate food or shelter.  Instructions were sent to transport companies and regional authorities on Friday morning as tightened restrictions on asylum seekers attempting to travel through Macedonia, Slovenia and Austria drove the situation in the country to crisis point.
 Thousands had already arrived at the Macedonian border only to be turned away by police.  Two Pakistani men appeared to try and hang themselves in a crowded public square in Athens as desperation grew among thousands of homeless migrants on Thursday.
 On Thursday two men, believed to be brothers from Pakistan, made makeshift nooses and appeared to try and hang themselves from a tree in Victoria Square in Athens. The government says it is imposing the ferry restrictions in order to build more temporary shelters but there are fears the move will deepen the humanitarian crisis on Aegean islands still seeing between one and five thousand people arrive every day in flimsy smugglers' boats from Turkey.
 One of the men reportedly lost consciousness before ambulances arrived and took them both off to hospital for treatment.  The Merchant Marine Ministry said chartered ferries docked in Lesbos and other islands would be used to provide temporary shelter until Sunday. 
 Both were released later that same day in a “good condition”. Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which is providing medical care for refugees in Greece and elsewhere in Europe, said ferry services on Lesbos, Samos and Chios were being stopped.
 Victoria Square has become a central point for stranded migrants and a police spokesman suggested the two men’s apparent suicide attempt was a public protest against Macedonia’s decision to severely restrict entry to the country.    The move was driven by caps on migration imposed by Austria and Slovenia, and Macedonia’s decision only to allow Syrian and Iraqi refugees over its border on their way to western Europe.
The unprecedented restrictions have hit Afghans, who make up roughly a quarter of those arriving in Europe, particularly hard and left thousands of asylum seekers sleeping in parks and on roads throughout Greece. 
Athens turned down a request by Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner to visit  next week after recalled its ambassador in anger over its refusal to allow any more than 3,200 migrants enter a day.
Pictures of two men appearing to attempt suicide in the middle of a public square have highlighted the increasing sense of desperation. 
Following Macedonia’s sudden decision to close its border to anyone but Syrians and Iraqis, tens of thousands of migrants have been left trapped in Greece, many without adequate food or shelter. 
Thousands had already arrived at the Macedonian border only to be turned away by police. 
On Thursday two men, believed to be brothers from Pakistan, made makeshift nooses and appeared to try and hang themselves from a tree in Victoria Square in Athens.
One of the men reportedly lost consciousness before ambulances arrived and took them both off to hospital for treatment. 
Both were released later that same day in a “good condition”.
Victoria Square has become a central point for stranded migrants and a police spokesman suggested the two men’s apparent suicide attempt was a public protest against Macedonia’s decision to severely restrict entry to the country.   
But psychiatrist Yiannis Chatzidakis, who works for Greek suicide prevention helpline Klimaka, told Al Jazeera: "The situation is increasingly becoming worse, so I don't find it strange that hopeless people with no home are willing to attempt to cut razor wire fences or even commit acts [like the one today] - regardless if they have mental health issues or not."But psychiatrist Yiannis Chatzidakis, who works for Greek suicide prevention helpline Klimaka, told Al Jazeera: "The situation is increasingly becoming worse, so I don't find it strange that hopeless people with no home are willing to attempt to cut razor wire fences or even commit acts [like the one today] - regardless if they have mental health issues or not."
An estimated one million refugees have arrived in Greece since January 2015, seeking to pass through the Balkans and into mainland Europe.An estimated one million refugees have arrived in Greece since January 2015, seeking to pass through the Balkans and into mainland Europe.
2,000 migrants per day cross illegally into Greece on their way to a better life in the continent's wealthier north, restrictions imposed by Austria and Balkan nations have left thousands trapped in the financially broken country.
With all migrant centres full, Greek officials have resorted to opening up sports stadiums as temporary accommodation.   With all migrant centres full, Greek officials have resorted to opening up sports stadiums as temporary accommodation.   
Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, criticised the border closures and warned the decision could lead to a catastrophic bottleneck of refugees in Greece.  Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, criticised the border closures and warned the decision could lead to a catastrophic bottleneck of refugees in Greece.  
But he also said Greece needed to prepare for a situation where more than a few thousand people would be stuck in the country.   But he also said Greece needed to prepare for a situation where more than a few thousand people would be stuck in the country.   
He added: "But really we need to work on alternatives to that, we need to work on the restrictions, we need to work on relocation, we need to work especially on massive resettlement from Middle Eastern countries." He added: "But really we need to work on alternatives to that, we need to work on the restrictions, we need to work on relocation, we need to work especially on massive resettlement from Middle Eastern countries." 
Greek prime minster Alexis Tsipras threatened to block future EU agreements unless other European countries began taking in a share of migrants, insisting the country will not become “a permanent warehouse of souls”.  Greek prime minster Alexis Tsipras threatened to block future EU agreements unless other European countries began taking in a share of migrants, insisting the country will not become “a permanent warehouse of souls”.  
Additional reporting by AP