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Migrants face hunt for new routes as Hungary border sealed Migrant crisis: Dozens head for Croatia as Hungary border sealed
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of migrants have spent the night at the closed Hungary-Serbia border, with many facing the choice of finding a new route to northern Europe. The first group of migrants has reached Serbia's border with Croatia - a new route into the European Union.
Serbian media said buses were now being redirected to Croatia, with migrants then planning to move on to Slovenia, Austria - and finally Germany. Buses took the migrants towards the town of Sid, after Hungary closed the border with Serbia, stranding thousands attempting to reach Germany - final destination for many.
There have also been suggestions that Romania may become a new route. Croatia has said it will not "just allow people to move through".
New border restrictions and a row over allocating migrants have shown bitter divisions in Europe over the crisis.New border restrictions and a row over allocating migrants have shown bitter divisions in Europe over the crisis.
Hundreds of stranded migrants spent the night in the open or in makeshift tents close to the Serbian border with Hungary. Some gathered wood for fires.Hundreds of stranded migrants spent the night in the open or in makeshift tents close to the Serbian border with Hungary. Some gathered wood for fires.
A day earlier, new Hungarian laws came into effect and police sealed a railway crossing point that had been used by tens of thousands of migrants. On Tuesday, Hungary declared a state of emergency in the area, with hundreds of army and police deployed to enforce new laws making it an offence to breach a razor-wire border fence.
Follow the latest from BBC correspondents in the area
Lyse Doucet: "They are indeed people seeking sanctuary, seeking a better safer life"
James Reynolds: Refugees and migrants wake up on the Serbia-Hungary border
Police sealed a railway crossing point near Roszke which had been used by tens of thousands of migrants to enter the European border-free Schengen zone.
The move has all but stopped the inflow. On Wednesday, Hungarian police said they had detained 367 migrants entering illegally. A record 9,380 rushed into Hungary on Monday - just before the border was closed.
Analysis: BBC's Guy Delauney, BelgradeAnalysis: BBC's Guy Delauney, Belgrade
All year, Serbia has taken a relaxed attitude towards the migrants and refugees entering from neighbouring Macedonia.All year, Serbia has taken a relaxed attitude towards the migrants and refugees entering from neighbouring Macedonia.
The authorities understood that few of the people coming in would want to stay, although some expressed regret that people desperately fleeing conflict did not view Serbia as a desirable destination.The authorities understood that few of the people coming in would want to stay, although some expressed regret that people desperately fleeing conflict did not view Serbia as a desirable destination.
But Hungary's fence and its criminalisation of unofficial border crossings has brought a halt to the flow of people across Serbia.But Hungary's fence and its criminalisation of unofficial border crossings has brought a halt to the flow of people across Serbia.
If an exit into Hungary becomes impossible, the number of refugees here may begin to rise, challenging not only the country's capacity for dealing with asylum seekers but its citizens' hitherto admirable tolerance and empathy.If an exit into Hungary becomes impossible, the number of refugees here may begin to rise, challenging not only the country's capacity for dealing with asylum seekers but its citizens' hitherto admirable tolerance and empathy.
Serbian alarm over stranded migrantsSerbian alarm over stranded migrants
Will Hungary's clampdown work?Will Hungary's clampdown work?
The refugees who chose Brazil over EuropeThe refugees who chose Brazil over Europe
Five 'happy refugees' pictures that went viralFive 'happy refugees' pictures that went viral
Crisis explained in graphicsCrisis explained in graphics
At midnight (22:00 GMT), Austria became the latest country to introduce tighter border controls. They apply to the border with Hungary but could be extended.At midnight (22:00 GMT), Austria became the latest country to introduce tighter border controls. They apply to the border with Hungary but could be extended.
But Austria insisted no-one fleeing persecution would be turned back to Hungary.But Austria insisted no-one fleeing persecution would be turned back to Hungary.
Austrian police said Vienna's two main stations were overflowing with migrants and the main station in Salzburg might have to close.Austrian police said Vienna's two main stations were overflowing with migrants and the main station in Salzburg might have to close.
Austria's director general for public security, Konrad Kogler, said: "We expect that if [Hungary's] measures are very effective, we will have to deal with different new routes."Austria's director general for public security, Konrad Kogler, said: "We expect that if [Hungary's] measures are very effective, we will have to deal with different new routes."
The 28-member bloc is facing a huge influx of migrants, many of whom are fleeing conflict and poverty in countries including Syria, where a civil war has been raging since 2011.The 28-member bloc is facing a huge influx of migrants, many of whom are fleeing conflict and poverty in countries including Syria, where a civil war has been raging since 2011.
The EU's border agency says more than 500,000 migrants have arrived at the EU's borders this year, compared with 280,000 in 2014.The EU's border agency says more than 500,000 migrants have arrived at the EU's borders this year, compared with 280,000 in 2014.
'We have to try' The group of about 40 migrants arrived at the Serbian border town of Sid early on Wednesday. They had travelled by bus from the Serbian town of Presevo near the Macedonian border in the south.
In Serbia, buses were being prepared to take migrants to the Croatian border, local media said. "We heard that Hungary was closed so the police told us we should come this way," Amadou, 35, from Mauritania told AFP news agency.
Serbia's B92 and Blic websites said the buses were due to leave the town of Presevo, southern Serbia, for the Croatian border town of Sid. "We don't know what we should do now. Do we have to catch a boat?"
"Maybe we'll try Croatia, then Slovenia and there to Vienna and Germany," Syrian migrant Emad, who is currently in Macedonia, told Reuters.
Croatia's Assistant Minister for European Affairs Maja Bakran Marcich told the BBC "everything is calm" on the borders, but that the police presence had been bolstered.Croatia's Assistant Minister for European Affairs Maja Bakran Marcich told the BBC "everything is calm" on the borders, but that the police presence had been bolstered.
"Croatia would not just allow people to move through," Ms Marcich said."Croatia would not just allow people to move through," Ms Marcich said.
"They'd get stopped and returned at the Slovenian and Hungarian borders in any case," Ms Marcich said."They'd get stopped and returned at the Slovenian and Hungarian borders in any case," Ms Marcich said.
The Serbian minister in charge of the government's working committee on migrants, Aleksandar Vulin, argued that the closure of the border by Hungary was unsustainable. The Serbian minister in charge of the government's working committee on migrants, Aleksandar Vulin, argued that the closure of the border by Hungary was unsustainable for Serbia.
He told the BBC's Lyse Doucet that contact between Serbian and Hungarian officials had been minimal.He told the BBC's Lyse Doucet that contact between Serbian and Hungarian officials had been minimal.
Hungary has also said it could extend its fence to the border with Romania.Hungary has also said it could extend its fence to the border with Romania.
Romania said this would violate the "European spirit" of co-operation.Romania said this would violate the "European spirit" of co-operation.
EU members have clashed over mandatory quotas for refugees.EU members have clashed over mandatory quotas for refugees.
Are you seeking refuge in Europe? Will you be avoiding Hungary? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you seeking refuge in Europe? Will you be avoiding Hungary? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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