Refugee Crisis: Riot Police Use Tear Gas, Water Cannons in Hungary

Sep 16, 2015, 10:57 AM ET
PHOTO: Hungarian police use pepper spray on refugees at the "Horgos 2" border crossing into the Hungary, near Horgos, Serbia, Sept. 16, 2015.PlayDarko Vojinovic/AP Photo
WATCH Hungarian Police Fire Tear Gas on Refugees at Border Fence

Hungarian riot police fired tear gas today at refugees who broke through the new razor-wire fence at the border.

Live Updates: On the Front Lines of the Refugee Crisis

The morning was quiet at the Roszke/Horgos crossing, but the action began at around 3 p.m. local time, when the police presence was increased from normal patrols to include police cars speeding near the border crossing with a few ambulances in tow, according to an ABC News reporter at the scene.

PHOTO: Hungarian police use pepper spray against refugees at the Horgos border after Hungarian authorities closed their border on Sept. 16, 2015 in Horgos, Serbia.Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images
Hungarian police use pepper spray against refugees at the Horgos border after Hungarian authorities closed their border on Sept. 16, 2015 in Horgos, Serbia.

PHOTO: A refugee holds his baby on his shoulders as refugees continue waiting on the Hungarian border in Horgos, Serbia after authorities closed the border on Sept. 16, 2015.Nikola Gligic/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A refugee holds his baby on his shoulders as refugees continue waiting on the Hungarian border in Horgos, Serbia after authorities closed the border on Sept. 16, 2015.

A water cannon has also been activated and a police helicopter is hovering over the scene.

The special TEK Hungarian paramilitary troops followed. The troops are outfitted with sidearms, helmets, face masks, all in black uniforms.

PHOTO: A refugee throws a shoe at Hungarian riot police during clashes on Sept. 16, 2015 in Horgos, Serbia.Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
A refugee throws a shoe at Hungarian riot police during clashes on Sept. 16, 2015 in Horgos, Serbia.

PHOTO: A refugee woman reacts after Hungarian riot police used pepper spray and a water cannon to push back refugees at the Hungarian border with Serbia near the town of Horgos on Sept. 16, 2015.Armend Nimani/AFP/Getty Images
A refugee woman reacts after Hungarian riot police used pepper spray and a water cannon to push back refugees at the Hungarian border with Serbia near the town of Horgos on Sept. 16, 2015.

Once situated, the troops moved in formation towards the Serbian side of the border.

There are about 300 special Hungarian TEK paramilitary officials in the area near the Serbian border town of Horgos.

PHOTO: Migrants run as Hungarian riot police fires tear gas and water cannon at the border crossing with Serbia in Roszke, Hungary, Sept. 16, 2015.Marko Djurica/Reuters
Migrants run as Hungarian riot police fires tear gas and water cannon at the border crossing with Serbia in Roszke, Hungary, Sept. 16, 2015.

PHOTO: Migrants cover their faces to protect themselves from tear gas used by Hungarian riot police on the Serbian side of the border, near Roszke, Hungary Sept. 16, 2015.Marko Djurica/Reuters
Migrants cover their faces to protect themselves from tear gas used by Hungarian riot police on the Serbian side of the border, near Roszke, Hungary Sept. 16, 2015.

Young men who appeared to be refugees were seen running in spurts away from the border, wiping their eyes, and some were seen pouring bottles of water on their eyes, as seen on a live video feed from the Serbian side of the border.

The escalation comes as tensions reached a new high, with several European countries -- including Hungary -- enacting new restrictions barring most refugees entry.

PHOTO: Refugees stand behind a fence at the Hungarian border with Serbia near the town of Horgos on Sept. 16, 2015.Armend Nimani/AFP/Getty Images
Refugees stand behind a fence at the Hungarian border with Serbia near the town of Horgos on Sept. 16, 2015.

PHOTO: Hungarian riot policemen run as they are deployed at the border crossing with Serbia in Roszke, Hungary Sept. 16, 2015.Dado Ruvic/Reuters
Hungarian riot policemen run as they are deployed at the border crossing with Serbia in Roszke, Hungary Sept. 16, 2015.

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