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Refugee crisis: thousands enter Croatia after Hungary's crackdown – live updates Refugee crisis: thousands enter Croatia after Hungary's crackdown – live updates
(35 minutes later)
9.59am BST09:59
Constanze Letsch
Turkish authorities have announced that hundreds of refugees who have set up camp on a main road at Edirne near the Greek border will be forcibly removed in three days if they refuse to leave.
Many others are holding out at Istanbul’s main bus station in the hope of reaching northern Europe by land rather than risk the perilous sea journey.
Bus services from the main terminal in Istanbul to cities on the Greek and Bulgarian borders were suspended last week, prompting several hundred refugees, most of them Syrians, to take to the road in an attempt to reach the European Union on foot.
Related: Turkey threatens to oust refugees camped near Greek border
9.53am BST09:53
Alberto Nardelli
Danish prime minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has offered to take another 1,000 refugees, writes Alberto Nardelli.
Rasmussen also offered to provide 750m krone inadditional funding over the next two years.
However, Denmark’s government said it maintains its right to opt out from the quota system proposed by the European Commission, which aims to relocate 120,000 refugees from Greece, Italy and Hungary on top of the previously proposed 40,000 from Greece and Italy.
Denmark is allowed to opt out from the plans along with Ireland and Britain. With Ireland expected to opt in, Britain would - de facto - remain the only EU member state not receiving refugees from within Europe in one way or the other.
Instead, David Cameron has said that Britain will welcome 20,000 Syrian refugees from camps on the borders of Syria over the next five years.
Meanwhile the US announced earlier this week that it will accept 10,000 Syrian refugees in the next fiscal year.
Related: How does UK refugee commitment compare with other countries?
9.48am BST09:48
Rail services between Austria and Hungary will resume in both directions on Friday, Austrian rail company OeBB has announced.
The link was suspended for a week to reduce the flow of migrants into the country from Hungary.
9.35am BST09:35
Labour’s new leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would back the imposition of European quotas for the resettlement of refugees.
In an interview for Channel 4 News Corbyn said it was a “great mistake” of the UK government to opt out of the European refugee programme. “We should take our share,” Corbyn said.
9.19am BST09:199.19am BST09:19
Landmine warningLandmine warning
Campaigners against land mines have expressed concern about refugees straying onto minefields left over from the 1990s war in Croatia.Campaigners against land mines have expressed concern about refugees straying onto minefields left over from the 1990s war in Croatia.
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines said the danger of mines near the border area worsened an already precarious situation facing refugees.The International Campaign to Ban Landmines said the danger of mines near the border area worsened an already precarious situation facing refugees.
In an email to the Guardian its director Megan Burke said: “We are very concerned about the situation of Syrian refugees and the many risks that they face as they try to find a secure place where they can be. Landmines in Croatia are of course a very big risk and yet another reminder as to why landmines have been banned.”In an email to the Guardian its director Megan Burke said: “We are very concerned about the situation of Syrian refugees and the many risks that they face as they try to find a secure place where they can be. Landmines in Croatia are of course a very big risk and yet another reminder as to why landmines have been banned.”
She highlighted maps showing the danger areas that refugees should avoid.She highlighted maps showing the danger areas that refugees should avoid.
Regional refugee groups in Serbia have been disseminating maps to refugees, she said.Regional refugee groups in Serbia have been disseminating maps to refugees, she said.
Burke warned refugees to avoid straying from main routes. She said:Burke warned refugees to avoid straying from main routes. She said:
For refugees themselves, simple information such as the importance of staying on main roads and official border crossing roads and what to look out for regarding mine warning signs will be helpful for people who really don’t know the areas at all, even more perhaps than trying to navigate around the possibly dangerous places. Croatia has had a responsibility to mark all known mined areas under their obligations to the Mine Ban Treaty.For refugees themselves, simple information such as the importance of staying on main roads and official border crossing roads and what to look out for regarding mine warning signs will be helpful for people who really don’t know the areas at all, even more perhaps than trying to navigate around the possibly dangerous places. Croatia has had a responsibility to mark all known mined areas under their obligations to the Mine Ban Treaty.
The Croatian Mine Action Centre has sent deminers to border areas where there might be a risk.The Croatian Mine Action Centre has sent deminers to border areas where there might be a risk.
8.44am BST08:448.44am BST08:44
The UN’s refugee agency has ramped up its criticism of Hungary claiming its restrictions on asylum seekers flout international law and worsen an “already chaotic situation worse”.The UN’s refugee agency has ramped up its criticism of Hungary claiming its restrictions on asylum seekers flout international law and worsen an “already chaotic situation worse”.
In a statement it also condemned Hungary’s use of force at its border. It said:In a statement it also condemned Hungary’s use of force at its border. It said:
UNHCR was especially shocked and saddened to witness Syrian refugees, including families with children who have already suffered so much, being prevented from entering the EU with water cannons and tear gas.UNHCR was especially shocked and saddened to witness Syrian refugees, including families with children who have already suffered so much, being prevented from entering the EU with water cannons and tear gas.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, added:The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, added:
“UNHCR reiterates its call on the the Hungarian authorities to ensure unimpeded access for people in need of protection in line with its legal and moral obligations. States should manage their borders in a way that is consistent with International and EU Law, including guaranteeing the right to seek asylum.“UNHCR reiterates its call on the the Hungarian authorities to ensure unimpeded access for people in need of protection in line with its legal and moral obligations. States should manage their borders in a way that is consistent with International and EU Law, including guaranteeing the right to seek asylum.
“It is not a crime to cross a border to seek asylum.”“It is not a crime to cross a border to seek asylum.”
The scene of yesterday’s chaotic scenes, is reported to be calm this morning.The scene of yesterday’s chaotic scenes, is reported to be calm this morning.
#Serbian police watch over border with #Hungary early on Thursday morning. Calm around the makeshift camp at #Horgos pic.twitter.com/cgFKCoQLoC#Serbian police watch over border with #Hungary early on Thursday morning. Calm around the makeshift camp at #Horgos pic.twitter.com/cgFKCoQLoC
Not giving up: migrants and refugees wait at the one door at the border where Hungary accepts asylum requests pic.twitter.com/xA1caJAymXNot giving up: migrants and refugees wait at the one door at the border where Hungary accepts asylum requests pic.twitter.com/xA1caJAymX
8.21am BST08:218.21am BST08:21
Croatia’ interior ministry confirmed that 5,650 migrants have entered the country since Hungary imposed tough new border restrictions. It also said a special train service was put on to take migrants to a reception centre.Croatia’ interior ministry confirmed that 5,650 migrants have entered the country since Hungary imposed tough new border restrictions. It also said a special train service was put on to take migrants to a reception centre.
Croatian policemen helping the children board the train towards western Croatia #refugees #refugeescrisis pic.twitter.com/3XXpOLSLz1Croatian policemen helping the children board the train towards western Croatia #refugees #refugeescrisis pic.twitter.com/3XXpOLSLz1
AFP’s Eric Randolph reports chaotic scenes at Tovarnik railway station.AFP’s Eric Randolph reports chaotic scenes at Tovarnik railway station.
Chaos at Tovarnik station in Croatia this morning as 5,000 migrants arrive overnight. pic.twitter.com/1gwVP8JXBVChaos at Tovarnik station in Croatia this morning as 5,000 migrants arrive overnight. pic.twitter.com/1gwVP8JXBV
Meanwhile Hungary continues to report a sharp fall in the number of newcomers.Meanwhile Hungary continues to report a sharp fall in the number of newcomers.
On Monday more than 9,000 migrants entered Hungary. But since new laws were introduced on Tuesday only a few hundred have made it through, according to the latest figures from the Hungarian Police. On Wednesday only 277 migrants were recorded.On Monday more than 9,000 migrants entered Hungary. But since new laws were introduced on Tuesday only a few hundred have made it through, according to the latest figures from the Hungarian Police. On Wednesday only 277 migrants were recorded.
Updated at 8.29am BSTUpdated at 8.29am BST
8.06am BST08:068.06am BST08:06
SummarySummary
Welcome to our continuing live coverage of the refugee crisis as Hungary faces widespread condemnation for firing teargas and water cannon at people trying to cross its border.Welcome to our continuing live coverage of the refugee crisis as Hungary faces widespread condemnation for firing teargas and water cannon at people trying to cross its border.
Here’s a rundown of the latest developments.Here’s a rundown of the latest developments.
Updated at 8.07am BSTUpdated at 8.07am BST