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Migrant crisis: Grim find of bodies in Austria lorry Migrant crisis: Grim find of bodies in Austria lorry
(about 1 hour later)
The Austrian authorities say at least 20 migrants have been found dead in a lorry near the eastern border with Hungary. At least 20 migrants have been found dead in a lorry abandoned in a motorway lay-by near the eastern border with Hungary, the Austrian authorities say.
The number of dead could be as high as 50, they say. The number of dead could be as high as 50, police say.
The grim find comes as a summit focusing on migration takes place in the Austrian capital, Vienna.The grim find comes as a summit focusing on migration takes place in the Austrian capital, Vienna.
Tens of thousands of migrants from conflict-hit states in the Middle East and Africa have been trying to make their way to Europe.Tens of thousands of migrants from conflict-hit states in the Middle East and Africa have been trying to make their way to Europe.
Austrian police said there appeared to be 20 to 50 bodies in the lorry, judging by its size. They described the deaths as a horrible crime. Austria's Chancellor Walter Faymann said the tragedy showed once again "how necessary it is to save lives by combating criminals and people traffickers".
The lorry was parked in a lay-by on the A4, the main road to Vienna, near the town of Parndorf. Burgenland police chief Hans Peter Doskozil said motorway police had been alerted to the vehicle - a refrigerated lorry with Hungarian licence plates - which was parked off the A4 motorway between Parndorf and Neusiedl am See.
The vehicle had been there since Wednesday but was not found until early Thursday. He told Austrian TV that officers had found at least 20 bodies inside the lorry, but there could be 30, 40 or even 50 inside.
The vehicle was found on Thursday morning but had been there since at least Wednesday, Mr Doskozil said.
The victims had been dead for some time and the bodies had begun to decompose, he added.
Mr Doskozil described the incident as a "terrible crime".
Organised criminals had turned people into commercial transactions, he said.
The truck bears the logo of a Slovakian poultry company, Hyza, which said in a statement that the vehicle no longer belonged to the firm - but the new owners had not removed the branding.
Hungarian police are working with Austrian police on the investigation, a spokesman for the Hungarian prime minister said.
'Dark day''Dark day'
The victims had been dead for some time and the bodies had begun to decompose.
Austria's Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner told a news conference it was a "dark day" and that their thoughts were with the victims and their families.Austria's Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner told a news conference it was a "dark day" and that their thoughts were with the victims and their families.
The tragedy again underlined the urgent need for common EU policies to protect migrants and to combat people traffickers, she said.The tragedy again underlined the urgent need for common EU policies to protect migrants and to combat people traffickers, she said.
In Vienna, Serbia and Macedonia have told the summit that EU must come up with an action plan to respond to the influx of migrants into Europe.In Vienna, Serbia and Macedonia have told the summit that EU must come up with an action plan to respond to the influx of migrants into Europe.
A record number of 107,500 migrants crossed the EU's borders last month and on Wednesday police counted more than 3,000 crossing into Serbia.A record number of 107,500 migrants crossed the EU's borders last month and on Wednesday police counted more than 3,000 crossing into Serbia.
Germany has called on all European states to share the burden.Germany has called on all European states to share the burden.
Thursday's summit was expected to discuss ways to strengthen support for Western Balkan states as well as ways of tackling human trafficking gangs and providing better protection for the EU's external borders. Thursday's summit was to discuss ways to strengthen support for Western Balkan states as well as ways of tackling human trafficking gangs and providing better protection for the EU's external borders.
Migrants' perilous Western Balkan route to GermanyMigrants' perilous Western Balkan route to Germany
Why is EU struggling with migrant crisis?Why is EU struggling with migrant crisis?
Are you in Burgenland? If you have any information you wish to share with BBC News, you can do so by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in Burgenland? If you have any information you wish to share with BBC News, you can do so by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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