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Migrant crisis: Croatia to allow migrants to travel north Migrant crisis: Croatia to allow migrants to travel north
(35 minutes later)
Croatia says it will allow migrants to travel on to northern Europe - opening up a new route a day after Hungary sealed its border with Serbia.Croatia says it will allow migrants to travel on to northern Europe - opening up a new route a day after Hungary sealed its border with Serbia.
More than 150 migrants have crossed into Croatia from Serbia. Those stranded on Serbia's border with Hungary are making a similar trip.More than 150 migrants have crossed into Croatia from Serbia. Those stranded on Serbia's border with Hungary are making a similar trip.
Croatia says it is ready to receive them or "direct" them to where they want to go.Croatia says it is ready to receive them or "direct" them to where they want to go.
Many migrants - mainly Syrian - are hoping to reach Germany.Many migrants - mainly Syrian - are hoping to reach Germany.
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.
More on the migrant crisis:More on the migrant crisis:
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
The BBC's Lyse Doucet says buses, vans and cars have been taking migrants away from the Serbia-Hungary border area towards the Serbian capital, Belgrade, and the border with Croatia.The BBC's Lyse Doucet says buses, vans and cars have been taking migrants away from the Serbia-Hungary border area towards the Serbian capital, Belgrade, and the border with Croatia.
On Tuesday, Hungary declared a state of emergency in the border area, with hundreds of army and police deployed to enforce new laws making it an offence to breach a razor-wire border fence.On Tuesday, Hungary declared a state of emergency in the border area, with hundreds of army and police deployed to enforce new laws making it an offence to breach a razor-wire border fence.
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.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.
And the first trials of refugees detained for illegal border crossing have been held in the Hungarian city of Szeged.
Ahmed Suadi Talib, an Iraqi who was studying in Syria, was the first to be convicted under the new law - and was excluded from Hungary for one year.
Speaking through a translator, he told the court he had fled Syria to escape Islamic State. He had entered Hungary via a hole in the border fence, he said, and did not know crossing into Hungary was illegal.
The EU's border agency says more than 500,000 migrants have arrived at the EU's borders so far 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 so far this year, compared with 280,000 in 2014.
Many are fleeing conflict and poverty in countries including Syria, where a civil war has been raging since 2011.Many are fleeing conflict and poverty in countries including Syria, where a civil war has been raging since 2011.
The migrants have been crossing from Turkey, with about 1,000 in the city of Edirne on Wednesday, waiting to organise a crossing into Greece. Their journey would then take them to Macedonia and Serbia.The migrants have been crossing from Turkey, with about 1,000 in the city of Edirne on Wednesday, waiting to organise a crossing into Greece. Their journey would then take them to Macedonia and Serbia.
Until Monday, most poured into Schengen member Hungary and crossed into Austria to reach Germany. Both Germany and Austria have introduced tighter border controls to control the flow.Until Monday, most poured into Schengen member Hungary and crossed into Austria to reach Germany. Both Germany and Austria have introduced tighter border controls to control the flow.
At the scene: James Reynolds, BBC News, Serbia-Hungary borderAt the scene: James Reynolds, BBC News, Serbia-Hungary border
Several hundred refugees and migrants are milling about here on the last few metres of Serbian territory. In front of them, the border gate into Hungary is locked. A line of Hungarian police wearing riot gear stands on the other side of a roll of razor wire.Several hundred refugees and migrants are milling about here on the last few metres of Serbian territory. In front of them, the border gate into Hungary is locked. A line of Hungarian police wearing riot gear stands on the other side of a roll of razor wire.
"Open the gate, open the gate," chants a group of several dozen migrants and refugees."Open the gate, open the gate," chants a group of several dozen migrants and refugees.
One man half-scales the gate and begs the Hungarian police to let everyone in. But he gets no response.One man half-scales the gate and begs the Hungarian police to let everyone in. But he gets no response.
Further back in the makeshift encampment, the atmosphere is much calmer. Volunteers distribute food and drink from vans. Next to a TV satellite truck, several people charge their smartphones. Refugee families rest in their tents.Further back in the makeshift encampment, the atmosphere is much calmer. Volunteers distribute food and drink from vans. Next to a TV satellite truck, several people charge their smartphones. Refugee families rest in their tents.
"I will stay here forever," says Saleh, a law student from Damascus. "I can't go back.""I will stay here forever," says Saleh, a law student from Damascus. "I can't go back."
At the scene: Guy Delauney, BBC News, Serbia-Croatia border
Dozens of refugees walked through fields into Croatia from the official Serbian border crossing at Sid.
Several told me they were hoping to reach Slovenia and the Schengen area. Others shouted "Thank you, Serbia" as they left.
Croatian police vans were waiting for the group as they crossed the border. All of them boarded without a struggle.
Serbian media say at least 10 buses were heading to the town of Sid, near the Croatian border, from Presevo near Serbia's southern border with Macedonia.Serbian media say at least 10 buses were heading to the town of Sid, near the Croatian border, from Presevo near Serbia's southern border with Macedonia.
Among those who arrived early on Wednesday was Amadou, 35, from Mauritania. One of those who arrived on Wednesday, Amadou from Mauritania, told AFP news agency: "We heard that Hungary was closed so the police told us we should come this way."
"We heard that Hungary was closed so the police told us we should come this way," he told AFP news agency. Croatia's Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic told parliament that authorities were "ready to receive or direct those people where they want to go.
Croatia's Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic told parliament that authorities were "entirely ready to receive or direct those people where they want to go, which is obviously Germany or Scandinavian countries".
"They will be able to pass through Croatia and we will help, we're getting ready for that possibility," he said."They will be able to pass through Croatia and we will help, we're getting ready for that possibility," he said.
A meeting of the Croatian National Security Council has been called to co-ordinate the response. Migrants have been crossing into Croatia on foot - avoiding the official border crossing point. Police are registering them before taking them to reception centres.
Migrants have been crossing into Croatia on foot - avoiding the official border crossing point.
Police are registering them before taking them to reception centres.
Croatian media have warned of the dangers posed by landmines dating back to Croatia's war of independence in the early 1990s, even though experts say the areas are clearly marked.Croatian media have warned of the dangers posed by landmines dating back to Croatia's war of independence in the early 1990s, even though experts say the areas are clearly marked.
The Serbian minister in charge of the government's committee on migrants, Aleksandar Vulin, argued that the border closure by Hungary was unsustainable for his country.The Serbian minister in charge of the government's committee on migrants, Aleksandar Vulin, argued that the border closure by Hungary was unsustainable for his country.
Hungary has also said it could extend its fence to the border with Romania - another possible route. Romania said this would violate the "European spirit" of co-operation.
Are you seeking refuge in Europe? Will you be heading to Croatia? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you seeking refuge in Europe? Will you be heading to Croatia? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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