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Migrant crisis: Grim find of bodies in Austria lorry Migrant crisis: Grim find of bodies in Austria lorry
(35 minutes later)
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.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, police say. The number of dead could be as high as 50, police say. Their bodies had started to decompose.
The lorry has been moved to an undisclosed location for detailed examination.
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.
Austria's Chancellor Walter Faymann said the tragedy showed once again "how necessary it is to save lives by combating criminals and people traffickers".Austria's Chancellor Walter Faymann said the tragedy showed once again "how necessary it is to save lives by combating criminals and people traffickers".
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 - a refrigerated lorry with Hungarian licence plates - was parked off the A4 motorway between Parndorf and Neusiedl am See, according to Burgenland police chief Hans Peter Doskozil.
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. Officers had found at least 20 bodies inside the lorry, but there could be 30, 40 or even 50 inside, he told Austrian TV.
The vehicle was found on Thursday morning but had been there since at least Wednesday, Mr Doskozil said.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. The victims had been dead for some time.
Mr Doskozil described the incident as a "terrible crime".Mr Doskozil described the incident as a "terrible crime".
Organised criminals had turned people into commercial transactions, he said.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.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.Hungarian police are working with Austrian police on the investigation, a spokesman for the Hungarian prime minister said.
'Dark day' Hungary had been informed that the driver was Romanian, the spokesman said.
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. At the scene: Bethany Bell, BBC News
The tragedy again underlined the urgent need for common EU policies to protect migrants and to combat people traffickers, she said. The lorry in which dozens of people died was sitting in a lay-by on the main motorway between Vienna and the Hungarian and Slovakian borders.
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. As we drove past, I saw police in white forensic suits combing the area for evidence.
It is hot. The smell of so many decomposing bodies close up must be difficult to take.
In Vienna, Serbia and Macedonia have told the summit on migration that EU must come up with an action plan to respond to the influx of migrants into Europe.
Austria has complained that the EU has failed to address the problem of people entering via the Western Balkans.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday's find "reminds us to tackle the issue of migration with European spirit and find solutions".
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. Meanwhile migrants are continuing to die as they try to reach Europe via the central Mediterranean route. The bodies of at least 51 people were found on Wednesday in the hold of a stricken ship off the coast of Libya.
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?
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