UN chief 'shocked' by treatment of refugees by Hungary

Hungary sparked international outrage on Wednesday after firing teargas, pepper spray and water cannons on refugees trying to cross its southern border.

The refugees had broken through a border gate after being prevented from crossing over from Serbia.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said the Hungarian government's actions were unacceptable.

"I was shocked to see how these refugees and migrants were treated. It's not acceptable. They are the people who are fleeing the violence and persecution, we must ensure our compassionate leadership," Ki-Moon told a press conference in New York Wednesday.

Hungary says its actions were a legitimate response to an invasion, and claimed that a known terrorist was one of the 29 arrested during clashes, reported the UK's Guardian.

Most of those at the border have now left but there are still 500-1000 still remaining.

Serbia said Hungary's actions were an infringement of Serbian sovereignty.

"We will not allow anyone to humiliate us. I call on the European Union to react and for its members to behave in line with European values," Serbia's prime minister Aleksandar Vucic told Serbian state television.

"If the EU does not react, we will find a way to protect our borders and European values as well," he said.

Medicins Sans Frontieres reported today it had treated one plastic bullet wound,12 wounds caused by trying to scale the razor fence, and around 15 patients with eyes affected by teargas at the Horgos border between Hungary and Serbia.

It said most of those at the border have now left but there are still 500-1000 still remaining hoping the Hungarian authorities will reopen the border crossing.

Buses are now leaving Presevo, in the south of Serbia, to the Croatian border.

Croatian police reported that 1,500 refugees registered close to the Serbian village of Sid yesterday, but MSF reported those on the Serbian side said about 4000 people had crosse the border.

"Using such excessive force against vulnerable people to prevent them from seeking safety is a disgrace and utterly shameful," said Aurelie Ponthieu, MSF humanitarian advisor on displacement.

"It also shows the absurdity of the current European response to this refugee situation. The EU must create legal alternatives and provide safe passage," she added.