On the Balkan route
From Turkey to the Greek islands and from there through the Balkans to Hungary: thousands of people who flee their war-torn homes hope to make it to western Europe this way. Our reporters met six of them.
Mohammed from Syria
The Kurdish English teacher fled the war in Syria and now has to deal with chaotic circumstances at the train station of Gevgelija, a small town in Macedonia. He wants to be registered here so he can continue to Serbia via train or taxi. He knows where he wants to end up and asks: "When you are in Germany, can you work in English, too?"
Zaman from Morocco
The man with the friendly laugh has already lived in Athens for four years - without papers. "Police there are really racist, though," he says. That's why he has joined the refugees. Even though there's no war raging in his home country, he wants to cross the border to Serbia close to the Macedonian village of Tabanovce. "I hope to find an honest job and an honest life in Germany," he says.
Ahmad from Iraq
"Our country has a big problem with the 'Islamic State.' The terrorists slaughter everyone they can get their hands on," the 17-year-old says calmly. He has traveled through Bulgaria, where he says police beat and robbed him. In Belgrade, he is now sleeping in the open, waiting for a bus heading north. "We want to go to Germany. You can lead a safe life there," he says.
Mohammad from Afghanistan
The two-time father is recovering in an improvised aid center in Belgrade. Like everyone else, he paid a trafficker for the crossing from Turkey to Greece. "But our boat capsized. My whole family was in the water for an hour before the Turkish coast guard arrived." Mohammad is glad that they are all still healthy.
Milad from Syria
"Everyone in Syria knows that Assad is killing innocent people," the 27-year-old IT expert from Damascus says. That's why he's waiting for "the Pakistani" in the northern Serbian town of Subotica. The man is supposed to bribe the Serbian and Hungarian border police and take Milad and his parents to Germany for 4,500 euros ($5,160). "I want to go to Frankfurt. I have relatives there," Milad says.
Falat from Afghanistan
The 25-year-old describes his situation at home in simple words: "Bad situation, every day war." He's also waiting for his trafficker in Subotica. The entire trip will cost him about 5,000 euros ($5,740). The Hungarian border fence? No problem. "We will go to Germany for sure. That is a good country that accepts refugees," Falat says.