Thread by @jenanmoussa

1/ I just got off the phone with Syrians &Palestinians who were at Kastanies – Karaağaç border crossing between Turkey/Greece.

Situation miserable. Migrants/refugees camping in no man's land in cold &rain. Turkish side open, Greek side closed.

More in this thread 👇

@akhbar

2/ This morning white buses arrived at Topkapi area in Istanbul. Witnesses tell me they don't have a clue who owns those buses. Also no signs on them.

Migrants/refugees in Istanbul were told they could board buses for free & they would be brought to border with Greece.

@akhbar

3/ Normally around 50/70 people fit in such buses but according to witnesses I spoke to, buses were packed with refugees/migrants. Up to 120/150 per bus.

People told me there are at least 20-40 buses driving from Istanbul to Greek border near Turkish city of Edirne.

@akhbar

4/ According to witnesses I spoke to, the people on the buses to the Greek border are a mix of nationalities.

Some Syrians but also Bangladeshis, Iranians, Afghans, Palestinians etc.

They already live in Turkey for a while and are waiting for a chance to get into EU.

@akhbar

5/ The distance between Istanbul and #Edirne is around 220 km.

After the refugees/migrants are dropped off by the white buses outside Edirne, near the Turkish side of the border with Greece, people then walk towards the border crossing.

@akhbar

6/ Once people arrive at Kastanies – Karaağaç border crossing, this is what happens:

Acc to witnesses I spoke to, on the Turkish side of the border there are basically no officials anymore.

So refugees/migrants just pass Turkish side. They then arrive in no man's land.

@akhbar

7/ The problem then starts for the refugees/migrants. Because the Greek side of the border is fully closed. The fences are locked and Greek border security forces patrol the areas.

So after reaching no man's land, refugees/migrants can't get further.

@akhbar

8/ I spoke to a witness who just made it back from no man's land between Turkey/Greece.

He says: "Miserable situation there. Thousands of refugees camping in rain +cold in this no man's land. Some want to go back into Turkey, others are staying hoping Greece might open border."

9/ Some refugees/migrants try to avoid the closed border crossing by walking through no man's land along border.

This is an area with bushes &a river.

People hope to find way to pass to Greece. Greek border guards fire tear gas to keep them in no man's land.

Via @salam_aldeen1

10/ Acc to witnesses I spoke to, until now no refugees/migrants breached the border &got into Greece.

Smugglers are offering their services to people and promise a way through. I'm not sure about the prices these smugglers ask &if they indeed managed to get any people through.

11/ Situation on border is acc to witnesses now as follows: Couple of 100 refugees/migrants still at border &in no man's land, hoping to get into Greece.

Others left, mostly to nearby Edirne or Istanbul.

There is a rumor that Turkey will keep its side of border open for 3 days.

12/ This is all for now. Thank you for your attention everyone.

Good night.