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Refugees rush across as Croatia opens border

Thousands of refugees who have been stranded for nearly two days have crossed into Croatia after it opened the border with Serbia.

UNHCR spokeswoman Melita Sunjic, said: "Without any announcement, the borders opened. When the borders opened, everybody rushed".

"The last person to go was a young boy without a leg, and we helped him cross in a wheelchair."

Thousands have been stuck in the cold and rain in Serbia for nearly two days, according to the UNHCR - the UN's refugee agency.

With bad weather hitting the area, some children are said to be suffering from hypothermia as supplies of blankets and rain coats run out.

There is also a lack of food and medicine, with the UNHCR describing conditions as "awful and hellish" with "knee-deep mud".

About 2,000 to 3,000 migrants were at the border when the gates were opened, according to the aid agency.

Croatia has been restricting the flow of migrants heading north, with Slovenia also limiting numbers crossing its border.

Police say more than 197,000 people have entered Croatia since 15 September.

Most migrants are heading to Germany to claim asylum.

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