And still they come through the icy Balkans

IT IS a scene that proves how desperate migrants are to reach safety in Europe, as hundreds of families continue to trek through the Balkans, despite snow and sub-zero temperatures.

As this picture from Macedonia shows, more than 2,000, including large numbers of children, are crossing daily from Macedonia into Serbia – even though temperatures yesterday plunged to -19C (-2F). Many of those travelling through the Balkans do not have winter clothing or shoes, putting them in serious danger of hypothermia.

The UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, last night warned that some have pneumonia but are refusing hospital treatment and insist on pressing on with their journeys. UNHCR spokesman Liene Veide said: ‘The weather isn’t stopping people; it’s just making the trip more difficult.

‘People are very determined and want to keep on their journey. This makes it challenging to

provide immediate assistance. Even when they are sick they are not willing to stay here in a hospital.’ Save the Children said women and children in particular are in danger of hypothermia. They reported that distressed migrants have been arriving in Serbia with blue lips and shaking from the cold.

Exhausted mothers told aid workers they are unable to keep their babies warm and dry, and that some have slipped while carrying them on icy roads. Yesterday a five-year-old girl and a woman died of cold as they tried to reach Greece by sea. Police said the girl died after the vessel she was travelling on capsized. Officers also rescued another boat, but were unable to save one woman, who also died of hypothermia.