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

Comes as Hungary has strengthened its restrictions against refugees.

ByABC News
September 16, 2015, 10:57 AM

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Migrants run as Hungarian riot police fires tear gas and water cannon at the border crossing with Serbia in Roszke, Hungary, Sept. 16, 2015. Hungarian police fired tear gas and water cannon at protesting migrants demanding they be allowed to enter from Serbia on the second day of a border crackdown
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.
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.
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.
Hungarian riot policemen run as they are deployed at the border crossing with Serbia in Roszke, Hungary Sept. 16, 2015. Hungarian riot police, backed by water cannon and armoured vehicles, moved into position at a border crossing on Wednesday where migrants were demanding they be allowed to cross from Serbia, a U.N. official at the scene told Reuters.

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