We are delighted to welcome Luka Vuylsteke to the TCN. Luka lives in Beli Manastir and has this report on the situation there today.
A little bit about the situation in Beli Manastir, which can be summed up in one word – chaos.
There are too many migrants in the barracks. Lots of people have been sleeping on the street in the open air. From this morning on, many of them are heading back in the direction of the railway station. They are confused, and many have no idea where they are. It is impossible to drive on the main road from the barracks to the station, it is full of people.
Fortunately it is still warm in Beli Manastir, with lots of sun, but that could change tomorrow with rain predicted.
Many people are sleeping in tents in the barracks, because much of the infrastucture of the buildings has been destroyed. Cables and water pipes were stolen years ago.
Local people are feeling sorry for the new arrivals in the town, especially the mothers and small children, but they are in the minority, as most of the migrants are young men. Many local people are volunteering to help in the barracks, bringing food and clothes. They are angry with the government, which does not seem to care about the capacity of the barracks.
The migrants are overwhelmingly friendly, and those who do speak do so in English, asking only one question – how can they leave and reach Slovenia.
Nobody knows what will happen in the coming hours and days. Everyone is nervously waiting for the new plan from Zagreb.
