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Migrant crisis: Central Europe influx continues apace Migrant crisis: Central Europe influx continues apace
(35 minutes later)
A steady flow of migrants is continuing in the Balkans and Central Europe despite attempts to restrict them, as the EU struggles to weather the crisis. A steady flow of migrants is continuing through the Balkans and Central Europe despite attempts to restrict them, as the EU struggles to weather the crisis.
More than 6,000 have reportedly so far entered Croatia from Serbia after Hungary closed its border. More than 6,000 have reportedly so far entered Croatia from Serbia after Hungary closed its border on Tuesday.
Meanwhile 7,266 migrants arrived in Germany on Wednesday, twice the number for the previous day.Meanwhile 7,266 migrants arrived in Germany on Wednesday, twice the number for the previous day.
Many of the migrants are fleeing the war in Syria and other conflicts, and see Germany as their final goal. Many of the migrants are fleeing fighting in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan and want to reach Germany.
Hundreds were involved in clashes at the Hungary-Serbia border on Wednesday, trying to breach a razor-wire fence.Hundreds were involved in clashes at the Hungary-Serbia border on Wednesday, trying to breach a razor-wire fence.
BBC correspondents covering the crisis Read more coverage of the migrant crisis
Follow BBC correspondents on Twitter covering the crisis
What is the next route through Europe?What is the next route through Europe?
Migrants warned of landmines Migrants warned of landmines in Croatia
Tripped migrant father gets Spanish job Father tripped by camerawoman gets Spanish job
Separately the European Parliament approved plans for the mandatory relocation of 120,000 refugees around the EU. Separately on Thursday, the European Parliament backed plans for the mandatory relocation of 120,000 refugees around the EU.
The move comes ahead of a meeting of interior ministers next Tuesday to discuss the measures, and correspondents say it will put pressure on the ministers to give their approval.The move comes ahead of a meeting of interior ministers next Tuesday to discuss the measures, and correspondents say it will put pressure on the ministers to give their approval.
Croatian police said 5,650 migrants had crossed into the country. Croatian police said 5,650 migrants had crossed into the country since early Wednesday.
Many travelled by bus to the Croatian border after Hungary completed a fence along its border with Serbia. Others arrived on foot from the town of Horgos, scene of Wednesday's clashes during which Hungarian security forces used tear gas and water cannon to stop migrants forcing their way into Hungary.Many travelled by bus to the Croatian border after Hungary completed a fence along its border with Serbia. Others arrived on foot from the town of Horgos, scene of Wednesday's clashes during which Hungarian security forces used tear gas and water cannon to stop migrants forcing their way into Hungary.
Large numbers have crowded onto a small railway station in the Croatian border town of Tovarnik where a special train is taking them to the capital Zagreb.Large numbers have crowded onto a small railway station in the Croatian border town of Tovarnik where a special train is taking them to the capital Zagreb.
At the scene: Lyse Doucet, Serbia-Croatia border Croatian Interior Minister Ranko Ostojic told Croatian TV on Wednesday that the police were currently in control of the situation but that if migrants continued to arrive in large numbers then the authorities would have to think about taking a different approach.
With Hungary's border firmly shut, more and more people are getting on buses and into taxis and heading towards Croatia. Health Minister Sinisa Varga said Croatia was expecting an estimated 20,000 migrants to arrive in the next two weeks.
Most are avoiding the official crossing - even though it is open. Instead they're walking down a dirt farm track which takes them through fields of corn to a waiting line of Croatian border guards. Croatia said it would allow migrants to travel into northern Europe, but officials in Slovenia - which borders Croatia to the north - have said they would tighten their border security and would stick to rules which require asylum-seekers to register on arrival.
Many people pause at the sight of police vans. But guards wearing baseball caps greet them in English saying - don't be afraid. UN and Red Cross officials are also in the fields, reassuring people they're only being driven to waiting buses to take them to the capital Zagreb for some rest and to register.
So many are arriving now that a special train service was also started late last night. Most people see Croatia as a transit country. But more barriers still lie ahead. Slovenia's prime minister has announced he's tightening all his borders until there's a common European solution to this crisis. So far, there's no sign of that.
Croatian Interior Minister Ranko Ostojic told Croatian TV on Wednesday that the police were currently in control of the situation but if migrants continued to arrive in large numbers the authorities would have to think about taking a different approach.
On Thursday Health Minister Sinisa Varga said Croatia was expecting an estimated 20,000 migrants in two weeks.
On Wednesday officials said Croatia would allow migrants to travel to northern Europe.
But officials in Slovenia - which borders Croatia to the north - have promised to tighten border security and say they will not create a corridor to allow migrants to pass into Austria.
Slovenia, like Hungary, is an entry point to the borderless European Schengen zone, which normally allows people to travel between member countries without restrictions.Slovenia, like Hungary, is an entry point to the borderless European Schengen zone, which normally allows people to travel between member countries without restrictions.
In other developments:In other developments:
'Human shields''Human shields'
On Wednesday, there were chaotic scenes near Horgos, with fires burning and police vehicles and ambulances arriving on the Serbian side of the border, across from massed ranks of riot police on the other side.On Wednesday, there were chaotic scenes near Horgos, with fires burning and police vehicles and ambulances arriving on the Serbian side of the border, across from massed ranks of riot police on the other side.
Some migrants threw missiles, including stones and water bottles.Some migrants threw missiles, including stones and water bottles.
The firing of tear gas and water cannon created a stampede of migrants away from the border.The firing of tear gas and water cannon created a stampede of migrants away from the border.
Hungarian media split on border incident
The clashes at the Roszke-Horgos border crossing divide pro-government and opposition newspapers.
Centre-right Magyar Nemzet says: "The Hungarian border was besieged by those who think that it's their basic human right to march throughout Europe without papers." A paper launched recently by the ruling Fidesz party argues the "determination and aggressiveness" of the migrants left Hungarian police with little choice but to use water-cannon.
But centre-left Nepszabadsag reacts sarcastically that "the strong Hungarian nation can breathe freely... We no longer have anything to worry about". And a commentator in centre-left Nepszava remarks: "We can now get on with our everyday Hungarian lives surrounded by barbed wire and shunned by migrants, neighbours, brothers, pals, close friends and investors."
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the police tactics were "unacceptable".UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the police tactics were "unacceptable".
Hungary closed its entire border with Serbia on Tuesday after making it illegal to enter the country or damage the border fence. The country's courts have started fast-track trials of arrested migrants.Hungary closed its entire border with Serbia on Tuesday after making it illegal to enter the country or damage the border fence. The country's courts have started fast-track trials of arrested migrants.
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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