Refugees Trapped at Borders Seeking New Routes to Europe

Young men hoping to find work make up a large portion of the refugee population moving from the Middle East and Africa toward Europe, at Harmica, Croatia, Sept. 20, 2015.

Refugees said they hope the large media presence at this border will encourage authorities to let them pass on their way to Western Europe, at Harmica, Croatia, Sept. 20, 2015.

دنیا بھر سے آئے حجاجِ کرام مکہ میں خانۂ کعبہ کا طواف کر رہے ہیں

Migrants said a young man's apparent suicide attempt was likely a show to gain sympathy from authorities and journalists, but they added even if the suicide attempt is fake, the desperation he feels is very real, at Harmica, Croatia, Sept. 20, 2015.

With the European Union only a few feet away, many refugees said they would rather die trying to cross than consider ever returning to the war zones many came from, at Harmica, Croatia, Sept. 20, 2015.

While refugees wait, protests erupt regularly, with refugees alternately demanding the borders open and then chanting simply, “please," at Harmica, Croatia, Sept. 20, 2015.

Even though the Croatian government has set up tents for them, many refugees refuse to leave the border, saying they don’t want to be sleeping if or when the border opens up, at Harmica, Croatia, Sept. 20, 2015.

About a dozen Slovenian police guard the tiny border, not flinching when spontaneous protests erupt, at Harmica, Croatia, Sept. 20, 2015.

At the Croatian border with Slovenia, hundreds of refugees from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, West Africa and elsewhere have been waiting for days for buses authorities said will transport them across the border, at Harmica, Croatia, Sept. 20, 2015.

Just a few meters from the border, aid workers supply refugees with food, clothing and indoor places to sleep. Refugees said they were surprised by Croatia’s generosity after being told by smugglers they would not be welcome, in Harmica, Croatia, Sept. 20