MIGRANTS HOPING TO REACH EU STRANDED IN BOSNIAN WOODS

VELIKA KLADUSA Hundreds of migrants hoping to reach the European Union are sheltering in forests and ruined factories near Bosnia's border with Croatia, with the cold setting in.

Migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Morocco and Algeria shivered in their makeshift tent camp high in the woods above the town of Velika Kladusa, built of cardboard and tree branches and covered with nylon sheets.

Some set up fires to warm up and cook modest meals. Others washed themselves in a cold stream, and brushed their teeth with ashes.

As the EU attempts to overhaul its defunct migration policies, thousands of people fleeing Asia, the Middle East and Africa are stranded on the fringe of the wealthy bloc, trying and often failing to enter and continue their journey.

“(There are) many problems here,” said Mahmood Abal from Bangladesh. “No rooms, no water, no medical facilities, no sanitation.”

Authorities are refusing to host large groups of migrants any longer.