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Disturbing Pictures Show Migrants Attempting Suicide In Athens As Greek Crisis Deepens

Desperate Migrants Pictured Trying To Take Their Own Lives In Athens
Kathryn Snowdon
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Warning: This article contains images and details that some may find upsetting.

Disturbing images of two desperate men trying to commit suicide in Greece have emerged as thousands of migrants are left stranded after Macedonia shut its borders this week.

The Pakistani men were cut down by bystanders from the tree in central Athens' Victoria Square on Thursday.

Bystanders reportedly said that the two men were upset because of delays to their planned travel to northern Greece. One of the men was unconscious and was taken to hospital.

Thousands of migrants have been pictured queuing for food distributed by the Greek army at a transit camp in the western Athens' suburb of Schisto.

It is estimated that about 4,000 migrants and refugees continue to arrive on Greek territory daily.

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Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has urged European Union countries to do more to share the burden of the crisis.

Speaking to parliament on Wednesday, Tsipras said: "We will not accept turning the country into a permanent warehouse of souls with Europe continuing to function as if nothing is happening."

He continued: "Greece will not agree to deals (in the EU) if a mandatory allocation of burdens and responsibilities among member countries is not secured."

Migrants try to hang themselves in Greece
(01 of08)
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Other migrants tend to the two men. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(02 of08)
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A Pakistani man lies on the street as other migrants wait for the ambulance. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(03 of08)
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Bystanders said the men were upset because of delays in their planned travel to northern Greece, from which migrants start their long trek through the Balkans to wealthier European countries.

The men, one of whom was unconscious, were rushed to hospital. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(04 of08)
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Balkan border controls leave thousands of people stranded in Greece as the country scrambles to cope with border restrictions imposed recently by Austria and Balkan countries â while some 4,000 migrants and refugees continue to arrive on Greek territory daily. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(05 of08)
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Refugees and migrants, mostly from Afghanistan, wait in queues to receive food distributed by the Greek army at a transit camp in the western Athens' suburb of Schisto on Thursday. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(06 of08)
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Refugees and migrants, mostly from Afghanistan, receive food distributed by the Greek army at a transit camp in the western Athens' suburb of Schisto on Thursday. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(07 of08)
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Children play as refugees and migrants, mostly from Afghanistan, wait in a queue to receive food distributed by the Greek army at a transit camp in the western Athens' suburb of Schisto on Thursday. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(08 of08)
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Refugees and migrants take hot soup and bread, provided by humanitarian workers, at the transit center for refugees near northern Macedonian village of Tabanovce. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The UN Commissioner for Refugees said on Tuesday that Europe is backing into an even greater refugee crisis by tightening border restrictions.

Filippo Grandi said: "I am very worried about the news we are getting about the increasing closures of the European borders along the Balkans route.

"Because that will create further chaos and confusion and it will increase the burden on Greece which is already shouldering a big responsibility managing these people.

"We are worried that these closings are happening and that there are no corresponding openings through relocation and resettlement."

Useful websites and helplines:

  • Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)

  • Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393

  • Get Connected is a free advice service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@getconnected.org.uk

  • HopeLine runs a confidential advice helpline if you are a young person at risk of suicide or are worried about a young person at risk of suicide. Mon-Fri 10-5pm and 7pm-10pm. Weekends 2pm-5pm on 0800 068 41 41
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