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| Refugee crisis: backlog of people stokes tensions in the Balkans - as it happened | Refugee crisis: backlog of people stokes tensions in the Balkans - as it happened |
| (4 months later) | |
| 5.28pm BST | |
| 17:28 | |
| The German navy has rescued almost 400 refugees from a wooden boat on the Mediterranean off the coast of Libya. | The German navy has rescued almost 400 refugees from a wooden boat on the Mediterranean off the coast of Libya. |
| DPA, a local news agency, reports that members of the German Navy frigate Schleswig-Holstein rescued the group, who were mostly from Sudan and Eritrea, on Saturday afternoon. | DPA, a local news agency, reports that members of the German Navy frigate Schleswig-Holstein rescued the group, who were mostly from Sudan and Eritrea, on Saturday afternoon. |
| The German navy has two frigates in the southern Mediterranean that have picked up 1,980 people since their mission began in late June. | The German navy has two frigates in the southern Mediterranean that have picked up 1,980 people since their mission began in late June. |
| Thousands of refugees have drowned this year while trying the cross the Mediterranean from Libya and Turkey to Europe, prompting a EU-wide mission to intercept people attempting to make the crossing. | Thousands of refugees have drowned this year while trying the cross the Mediterranean from Libya and Turkey to Europe, prompting a EU-wide mission to intercept people attempting to make the crossing. |
| 4.00pm BST | |
| 16:00 | |
| Summary - war of words between European neighbours | Summary - war of words between European neighbours |
| Here’s a round-up of the latest movements mid-afternoon: | Here’s a round-up of the latest movements mid-afternoon: |
| Updated | |
| at 4.04pm BST | |
| 3.42pm BST | |
| 15:42 | |
| 3.35pm BST | |
| 15:35 | |
| Croatia’s actions over the past 24 hours show it is not ready to join Europe’s free movement agreement, a top advisor to Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban told local radio. | Croatia’s actions over the past 24 hours show it is not ready to join Europe’s free movement agreement, a top advisor to Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban told local radio. |
| “If Croatia puts up its hands and says, no, I don’t want to defend the borders, then Hungary can only say that it isn’t ready to join Schengen when the moment comes to decide,” Antal Rogan told InfoRadio. | “If Croatia puts up its hands and says, no, I don’t want to defend the borders, then Hungary can only say that it isn’t ready to join Schengen when the moment comes to decide,” Antal Rogan told InfoRadio. |
| Orban, a right-winger, has previously said the crackdown on refugees is to defend “Christian Europe”. | Orban, a right-winger, has previously said the crackdown on refugees is to defend “Christian Europe”. |
| 3.29pm BST | |
| 15:29 | |
| David Cameron has been attacked for his “dehumanising” approach to the refugee crisis by the Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, who has been visiting a refugee art project in Poole, Dorset. | David Cameron has been attacked for his “dehumanising” approach to the refugee crisis by the Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, who has been visiting a refugee art project in Poole, Dorset. |
| Farron condemned the Government’s plan to accept 20,000 refugees from Syria over the next five years. | Farron condemned the Government’s plan to accept 20,000 refugees from Syria over the next five years. |
| Cameron’s refusal to participate in a Europe-wide resettlement scheme was “turning our back” countries shouldering the crisis, he said. | Cameron’s refusal to participate in a Europe-wide resettlement scheme was “turning our back” countries shouldering the crisis, he said. |
| It is certainly not right that over a period of five years we end up accepting as many people as Germany is taking in a weekend. | It is certainly not right that over a period of five years we end up accepting as many people as Germany is taking in a weekend. |
| Not only does that mean that we are showing an inhuman face to desperate people who deserve and need help, but we also show a completely uncollegiate face to the rest of Europe. | Not only does that mean that we are showing an inhuman face to desperate people who deserve and need help, but we also show a completely uncollegiate face to the rest of Europe. |
| If you look at what is happening in the Balkans now, that is an example and it’s the outcome of the European Union not having a single approach to all of this. | If you look at what is happening in the Balkans now, that is an example and it’s the outcome of the European Union not having a single approach to all of this. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.51pm BST | |
| 3.11pm BST | |
| 15:11 | |
| This video from AP shows several thousand migrants and refugees finally entering Austria on Saturday, where they are set to be processed ahead of travelling to their final destinations. | This video from AP shows several thousand migrants and refugees finally entering Austria on Saturday, where they are set to be processed ahead of travelling to their final destinations. |
| The vast majority appeared relieved but exhausted after gruelling journeys across Europe. “Right now, I feel as if I have been born anew,” says Adeeb Jaafari, a Syrian refugee from Damascus. | The vast majority appeared relieved but exhausted after gruelling journeys across Europe. “Right now, I feel as if I have been born anew,” says Adeeb Jaafari, a Syrian refugee from Damascus. |
| 3.07pm BST | |
| 15:07 | |
| Croatia lied to our faces, says Hungarian minister | Croatia lied to our faces, says Hungarian minister |
| Croatia “lied in the face” of Hungary and the EU when it appeared to claim there was an agreement to send almost 1,000 refugees to the Hungarian border last night, foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said. | Croatia “lied in the face” of Hungary and the EU when it appeared to claim there was an agreement to send almost 1,000 refugees to the Hungarian border last night, foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said. |
| Speaking at a press conference, Szijjarto accused Croatia of “violating Hungary’s sovereignty” because the migrants had been sent unannounced and were accompanied by Croatian policemen. | Speaking at a press conference, Szijjarto accused Croatia of “violating Hungary’s sovereignty” because the migrants had been sent unannounced and were accompanied by Croatian policemen. |
| “Instead of honestly making provision for the immigrants, it sent them straight to Hungary. What kind of European solidarity is this? | “Instead of honestly making provision for the immigrants, it sent them straight to Hungary. What kind of European solidarity is this? |
| “Once again, Hungary has been left in the lurch. We will defend the European Union, the borders of the Schengen zone, and we will defend Hungary in accordance with European rules.” | “Once again, Hungary has been left in the lurch. We will defend the European Union, the borders of the Schengen zone, and we will defend Hungary in accordance with European rules.” |
| Hungary would speed up the building of a fence “where necessary” along its Croatian border. | Hungary would speed up the building of a fence “where necessary” along its Croatian border. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.33pm BST | |
| 2.56pm BST | |
| 14:56 | |
| Slovenia: 1,500 have entered the country from Croatia | Slovenia: 1,500 have entered the country from Croatia |
| Slovenian police have released a statement confirming more than 1,500 migrants have entered the country, while 600 more are waiting to get in at border crossings with Croatia. | Slovenian police have released a statement confirming more than 1,500 migrants have entered the country, while 600 more are waiting to get in at border crossings with Croatia. |
| A third of them are from Syria and another third from Afghanistan, with the others from various African and Middle Eastern countries, mainly Iraq, police said. | A third of them are from Syria and another third from Afghanistan, with the others from various African and Middle Eastern countries, mainly Iraq, police said. |
| The Slovenian interior ministry official Bostjan Sefic said: “Police are fully in control and the security situation is good.” | The Slovenian interior ministry official Bostjan Sefic said: “Police are fully in control and the security situation is good.” |
| Around 250 people have decide to cross the small country on foot in order to reach Austria from the refugee centre in the city of Maribor. | Around 250 people have decide to cross the small country on foot in order to reach Austria from the refugee centre in the city of Maribor. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.01pm BST | |
| 2.49pm BST | |
| 14:49 | |
| “I love this dog,” says 17-year-old Aslan, from Damascus, arriving on the Greek island of Lesbos. “I need him. I walked 500km with the dog.” | “I love this dog,” says 17-year-old Aslan, from Damascus, arriving on the Greek island of Lesbos. “I need him. I walked 500km with the dog.” |
| He told the UNHCR, which posted the video on its Facebook page, that he had even drawn a passport for his dog, Rose, who he carried in a small plastic carrier. | He told the UNHCR, which posted the video on its Facebook page, that he had even drawn a passport for his dog, Rose, who he carried in a small plastic carrier. |
| Some people will ask - you have only a small bag?” the interviewers asks. | Some people will ask - you have only a small bag?” the interviewers asks. |
| “Yes.” | “Yes.” |
| “And you bring your dog?” | “And you bring your dog?” |
| “Yes.” | “Yes.” |
| “Why?” | “Why?” |
| “I love my dog!” | “I love my dog!” |
| As the refugee agency points out, many animal lovers around the world would probably feel the same. | As the refugee agency points out, many animal lovers around the world would probably feel the same. |
| Updated | |
| at 7.46pm BST | |
| 2.35pm BST | |
| 14:35 | |
| In Harmica, a Croatian border crossing with Slovenia, a trickle of refugees are now being allowed over the border. Last night several dozen refugees were hit with pepper spray as they faced off with a cordon of Slovenian riot police on the frontier. | In Harmica, a Croatian border crossing with Slovenia, a trickle of refugees are now being allowed over the border. Last night several dozen refugees were hit with pepper spray as they faced off with a cordon of Slovenian riot police on the frontier. |
| Police in Slovenia say more than 1,000 migrants have entered the country, but hundreds more are waiting at the border as they let in only limited numbers. Refugees are camped out in Harmica and at another crossing a few miles south in Bregana, where people are hoping to transit at Slovenia’s Obrezje crossing. | Police in Slovenia say more than 1,000 migrants have entered the country, but hundreds more are waiting at the border as they let in only limited numbers. Refugees are camped out in Harmica and at another crossing a few miles south in Bregana, where people are hoping to transit at Slovenia’s Obrezje crossing. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.07pm BST | |
| 2.08pm BST | |
| 14:08 | |
| The BBC’s Piers Scholfield reports that refugees arriving from Tovarnik in Croatia at Beremend, the Hungarian border crossing, are being let through without hindrance. | The BBC’s Piers Scholfield reports that refugees arriving from Tovarnik in Croatia at Beremend, the Hungarian border crossing, are being let through without hindrance. |
| First arrivals of the day at Beremend - men, women, children. Ushered smoothly off Croatian bus and on to Hungarian. pic.twitter.com/NwZzL4xcx8 | First arrivals of the day at Beremend - men, women, children. Ushered smoothly off Croatian bus and on to Hungarian. pic.twitter.com/NwZzL4xcx8 |
| Convoy of full buses, waiting at Beremend - arrived from Tovarnik. One in, 9 to go. All going smoothly. pic.twitter.com/MvyN793lEW | Convoy of full buses, waiting at Beremend - arrived from Tovarnik. One in, 9 to go. All going smoothly. pic.twitter.com/MvyN793lEW |
| There are approximately 2,500 people still in Tovarnik, and heavy rain is forecast tonight, but the Croatian government is apparently intending to provide more shelters. | There are approximately 2,500 people still in Tovarnik, and heavy rain is forecast tonight, but the Croatian government is apparently intending to provide more shelters. |
| #Croatia update: weather forecast said it should rain in Tovarnik, govmnt setting up tents for #refugees... | #Croatia update: weather forecast said it should rain in Tovarnik, govmnt setting up tents for #refugees... |
| Updated | |
| at 3.08pm BST | |
| 1.55pm BST | |
| 13:55 | |
| The Croatian government has put out the full remarks of the prime minister, Zoran Milanovic, who was speaking in the eastern town of Beli Manastir on Saturday. He is extremely unhappy with the Hungarians, to put it mildly. | The Croatian government has put out the full remarks of the prime minister, Zoran Milanovic, who was speaking in the eastern town of Beli Manastir on Saturday. He is extremely unhappy with the Hungarians, to put it mildly. |
| The PM called Hungary’s conduct in shutting the borders “incomprehensible because none of the refugees wanted to stay in Hungary”. | The PM called Hungary’s conduct in shutting the borders “incomprehensible because none of the refugees wanted to stay in Hungary”. |
| The border could be completely sealed only with brutal force, he said. | The border could be completely sealed only with brutal force, he said. |
| Even if that were possible under the constitution – and it is not – it means killing people. | Even if that were possible under the constitution – and it is not – it means killing people. |
| Milanovic said refugee taskforces in Croatia had done their job much better than other countries, rejecting the Hungarian government’s accusation yesterday that it had panicked. | Milanovic said refugee taskforces in Croatia had done their job much better than other countries, rejecting the Hungarian government’s accusation yesterday that it had panicked. |
| He said certain political groups in the country had been whipping up anti-migrant sentiment. | He said certain political groups in the country had been whipping up anti-migrant sentiment. |
| One should not believe hysteria mongers who want to profit politically from it. That’s the ugliest thing I have seen in Croatia since the war. | One should not believe hysteria mongers who want to profit politically from it. That’s the ugliest thing I have seen in Croatia since the war. |
| The situation was “a humanitarian crisis but not a disaster”, he said, reiterating that completely closing the border without a fence, as had been done by Hungary, “is possible only if the army is deployed to the border and shoots at people”. | The situation was “a humanitarian crisis but not a disaster”, he said, reiterating that completely closing the border without a fence, as had been done by Hungary, “is possible only if the army is deployed to the border and shoots at people”. |
| That is what some wish for. It is physically possible, but impossible in terms of law. One should declare a state of war, or a state of direct threat, and the government should propose it to the parliament. Please do not take this out of context because I am saying this only to illustrate how crazy such proposals are. | That is what some wish for. It is physically possible, but impossible in terms of law. One should declare a state of war, or a state of direct threat, and the government should propose it to the parliament. Please do not take this out of context because I am saying this only to illustrate how crazy such proposals are. |
| Milanovic meant what he said about continuing to force Hungary to take more people over the border. A 10-carriage train is on its way to Tovarnik to pick up refugees who cross from Serbia, and take them to the border, though we’re not sure at this point if that means Hungary or Slovenia. | Milanovic meant what he said about continuing to force Hungary to take more people over the border. A 10-carriage train is on its way to Tovarnik to pick up refugees who cross from Serbia, and take them to the border, though we’re not sure at this point if that means Hungary or Slovenia. |
| A train w/ 10 passenger cars is on its way to Tovarnik to pick up more #refugees. It should be there around 4:30pm. #refugeescrisis | A train w/ 10 passenger cars is on its way to Tovarnik to pick up more #refugees. It should be there around 4:30pm. #refugeescrisis |
| Updated | |
| at 3.11pm BST | |
| 1.33pm BST | |
| 13:33 | |
| Johannes Hahn, the EU’s enlargement commissioner has proposed allocating €1bn to Turkey to help managed the crisis, saying Europe must help countries bearing the brunt of the situation. | Johannes Hahn, the EU’s enlargement commissioner has proposed allocating €1bn to Turkey to help managed the crisis, saying Europe must help countries bearing the brunt of the situation. |
| Hahn has been touring a refugee camp in Gevgelija, on the southern border with Greece, as part of a two-day tour of Macedonia. Around 5,000 people are in the camp, as they make their way across Serbia via trains, buses and taxis to western Europe. | Hahn has been touring a refugee camp in Gevgelija, on the southern border with Greece, as part of a two-day tour of Macedonia. Around 5,000 people are in the camp, as they make their way across Serbia via trains, buses and taxis to western Europe. |
| Macedonian police say more than 83,000 have transited through the small Balkan nation in the last three months but there is now a registration process in place. | Macedonian police say more than 83,000 have transited through the small Balkan nation in the last three months but there is now a registration process in place. |
| The money will “help Turkey to deal with this challenge and give people a perspective to stay in the region in order to return back into their home region, home towns, as soon as this is possible”, said Hahn. | The money will “help Turkey to deal with this challenge and give people a perspective to stay in the region in order to return back into their home region, home towns, as soon as this is possible”, said Hahn. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.13pm BST | |
| 1.27pm BST | |
| 13:27 | |
| Hungary’s harsh new border laws are exposing vulnerable people to violence and trapping thousands of people, Human Rights Watch said today. | Hungary’s harsh new border laws are exposing vulnerable people to violence and trapping thousands of people, Human Rights Watch said today. |
| The NGO said at least 46 people who had tried to enter Hungary via Serbia since the beginning of the week had been prosecuted for illegal entry. | The NGO said at least 46 people who had tried to enter Hungary via Serbia since the beginning of the week had been prosecuted for illegal entry. |
| Lydia Gall, HRW’s Eastern Europe and Balkans researcher, said: | Lydia Gall, HRW’s Eastern Europe and Balkans researcher, said: |
| It is reprehensible that Budapest is willing to use riot police and the criminal courts to avoid offering protection to people fleeing war and human rights abuse. | It is reprehensible that Budapest is willing to use riot police and the criminal courts to avoid offering protection to people fleeing war and human rights abuse. |
| Though countries are entitled to protect their borders, Hungary’s new border regime punishes people who ought to be offered protection, and risks encouraging other governments to do the same. | Though countries are entitled to protect their borders, Hungary’s new border regime punishes people who ought to be offered protection, and risks encouraging other governments to do the same. |
| Hungarian authorities have an obligation to ensure that those who flee war and persecution can present their claims in a fair, transparent way. | Hungarian authorities have an obligation to ensure that those who flee war and persecution can present their claims in a fair, transparent way. |
| The government declared a state of emergency on 16 September which means criminal proceedings related to illegal entry, or cutting holes through the new razor wire fencing, take precedent over any other procedure, such as asylum claims. | The government declared a state of emergency on 16 September which means criminal proceedings related to illegal entry, or cutting holes through the new razor wire fencing, take precedent over any other procedure, such as asylum claims. |
| The new border laws have three key elements: | The new border laws have three key elements: |
| HRW said the new laws “make it nearly impossible for asylum seekers to get protection in Hungary, a violation of the country’s international obligations”. | HRW said the new laws “make it nearly impossible for asylum seekers to get protection in Hungary, a violation of the country’s international obligations”. |
| These aws are the major factor leading refugees to cross into Croatia, leading to the build-up in numbers there. | These aws are the major factor leading refugees to cross into Croatia, leading to the build-up in numbers there. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.15pm BST | |
| 12.59pm BST | |
| 12:59 | |
| Hungary has responded angrily to the Croatian prime minister’s insistence he will keep forcing the country to accept more refugees by sending them to the border. | Hungary has responded angrily to the Croatian prime minister’s insistence he will keep forcing the country to accept more refugees by sending them to the border. |
| “Croatia has let down not just Hungary but the EU and has given up on all legal commitments that bind it,” government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs told reporters. | “Croatia has let down not just Hungary but the EU and has given up on all legal commitments that bind it,” government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs told reporters. |
| Major violation of intrntl law at the HUN/HR: train with over 1000migrants with 40 armed HR policemen crosses the border without permission | Major violation of intrntl law at the HUN/HR: train with over 1000migrants with 40 armed HR policemen crosses the border without permission |
| Croatia collapsed under the pressure in one day;we are standing the flood for the past 9 months. HUN will fully follow EU protocols | Croatia collapsed under the pressure in one day;we are standing the flood for the past 9 months. HUN will fully follow EU protocols |
| Croatia had sent some 8,000 migrants on Friday, senior security adviser Gyorgy Bakondi said, at the same press conference. | Croatia had sent some 8,000 migrants on Friday, senior security adviser Gyorgy Bakondi said, at the same press conference. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.16pm BST | |
| 12.51pm BST | |
| 12:51 | |
| More than 2,200 people have been rescued from small boats over the last 24 hours as they tried to cross from Libya to Italy, the Italian coastguard said. | More than 2,200 people have been rescued from small boats over the last 24 hours as they tried to cross from Libya to Italy, the Italian coastguard said. |
| At least 750 people were crammed on to three small vessels, and were rescued after they were spotted by a Médecins Sans Frontière ship, the charity reported.“There are multiple nationalities ... Thankfully, everyone is in good health,” the MSF spokesman Sami al-Subaihi said in a video of the rescue sent to AFP. | At least 750 people were crammed on to three small vessels, and were rescued after they were spotted by a Médecins Sans Frontière ship, the charity reported.“There are multiple nationalities ... Thankfully, everyone is in good health,” the MSF spokesman Sami al-Subaihi said in a video of the rescue sent to AFP. |
| He said the charity was now on its way to look for a fourth boat it had spotted earlier. The people onboard were treated for dehydration and taken to reception centres in Italy or Greece, the charity said. | He said the charity was now on its way to look for a fourth boat it had spotted earlier. The people onboard were treated for dehydration and taken to reception centres in Italy or Greece, the charity said. |
| Italy’s coastguard said its vessel Dattilo picked up 1,137 migrants from two boats, while its Corsi vessel rescued 137 people from a deflating dinghy on which the body of a woman was also recovered. | Italy’s coastguard said its vessel Dattilo picked up 1,137 migrants from two boats, while its Corsi vessel rescued 137 people from a deflating dinghy on which the body of a woman was also recovered. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.18pm BST | |
| 12.30pm BST | |
| 12:30 | |
| On the Croatian border with Slovenia, hundreds of refugees waited overnight at the Bregana border to cross over into the small Alpine nation. | On the Croatian border with Slovenia, hundreds of refugees waited overnight at the Bregana border to cross over into the small Alpine nation. |
| A Guardian contributor in Croatia reports local television is showing buses arriving to take people over the border. Reporters tweeting from the scene say the busloads are now on their way across. | A Guardian contributor in Croatia reports local television is showing buses arriving to take people over the border. Reporters tweeting from the scene say the busloads are now on their way across. |
| Scene this morning at #Bregana crossing between #Croatia and #Slovenia. Few hundred #refugees watching police lines pic.twitter.com/NRQFKm7GLN | Scene this morning at #Bregana crossing between #Croatia and #Slovenia. Few hundred #refugees watching police lines pic.twitter.com/NRQFKm7GLN |
| Hundreds of #refugees wait 2get on buses 2take them from #Bregana #Croatia into #Slovenia #refugeecrisis @AJEnglish pic.twitter.com/pEuu9Khy2s | Hundreds of #refugees wait 2get on buses 2take them from #Bregana #Croatia into #Slovenia #refugeecrisis @AJEnglish pic.twitter.com/pEuu9Khy2s |
| #Bregana A 2ft gap for 2,000 migrants to squeeze through onto buses into Slovenia pic.twitter.com/Qp0KdeKS4C | #Bregana A 2ft gap for 2,000 migrants to squeeze through onto buses into Slovenia pic.twitter.com/Qp0KdeKS4C |
| Slovenian police said on Saturday that 1,287 had arrived as of midnight Friday, of which 483 were from Afghanistan, 470 from Syria and 126 from Iraq. | Slovenian police said on Saturday that 1,287 had arrived as of midnight Friday, of which 483 were from Afghanistan, 470 from Syria and 126 from Iraq. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.19pm BST | |
| 12.19pm BST | |
| 12:19 | |
| Summary: Croatia vows to keep sending refugees to Hungary | Summary: Croatia vows to keep sending refugees to Hungary |
| Here’s how things look at midday | Here’s how things look at midday |
| 11.50am BST | |
| 11:50 | |
| The BBC’s Anna Holligan is following buses from the Croatian-Hungarian border headed for Austria. | The BBC’s Anna Holligan is following buses from the Croatian-Hungarian border headed for Austria. |
| Empty buses in #Hungary border town of Beremend - told they're on standby #refugees pic.twitter.com/221gYsbjc7 | Empty buses in #Hungary border town of Beremend - told they're on standby #refugees pic.twitter.com/221gYsbjc7 |
| #Hungary police tell us 10 buses carrying #refugees from Croatia will arrive 15 mins,carriages await (pix @howmorris) pic.twitter.com/2IvefbKUNK | #Hungary police tell us 10 buses carrying #refugees from Croatia will arrive 15 mins,carriages await (pix @howmorris) pic.twitter.com/2IvefbKUNK |
| On the road to Szentgotthárd following reports #Hungary dropped 4000 #refugees & #migrants on #Austria's doorstep pic.twitter.com/UCmquD9Uzq | On the road to Szentgotthárd following reports #Hungary dropped 4000 #refugees & #migrants on #Austria's doorstep pic.twitter.com/UCmquD9Uzq |
| 11.43am BST | |
| 11:43 | |
| Croatia’s president has Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic told AP her small country cannot cope with the numbers of people wanting to travel through it towards western Europe, and that the EU must do more. | Croatia’s president has Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic told AP her small country cannot cope with the numbers of people wanting to travel through it towards western Europe, and that the EU must do more. |
| “We need to stop the flow, we need to get reassurances from European Union what happens to these people who are already in Croatia, and those who still want to transit through Croatia further. | “We need to stop the flow, we need to get reassurances from European Union what happens to these people who are already in Croatia, and those who still want to transit through Croatia further. |
| “We’re flooded, local communities are flooded, the numbers of refugees in some areas is far greater (than) the number of local residents.” | “We’re flooded, local communities are flooded, the numbers of refugees in some areas is far greater (than) the number of local residents.” |
| With a population of 4.2 million people, Croatia needs to be realistic about what it can do, she said. | With a population of 4.2 million people, Croatia needs to be realistic about what it can do, she said. |
| Croatia itself was a fragile country which has only recently begun to recover from the wars of the 1990s, Kitarovic said, adding that migrants were in more immediate danger of stepping on landmines from the conflict if they did not use official crossings. | Croatia itself was a fragile country which has only recently begun to recover from the wars of the 1990s, Kitarovic said, adding that migrants were in more immediate danger of stepping on landmines from the conflict if they did not use official crossings. |
| “We have to take further measures to ensure stability on the border, and that there are no breaches through the corn fields, or forests or any other areas that are not controlled or cleared.” | “We have to take further measures to ensure stability on the border, and that there are no breaches through the corn fields, or forests or any other areas that are not controlled or cleared.” |
| Updated | |
| at 12.54pm BST | |
| 11.35am BST | |
| 11:35 | |
| Croatian police: more than 20,000 refugees in three days | Croatian police: more than 20,000 refugees in three days |
| Croatian police say 20,737 migrants have entered the country since Wednesday, the vast majority passing through towards western Europe. | Croatian police say 20,737 migrants have entered the country since Wednesday, the vast majority passing through towards western Europe. |
| Most have entered the country through Serbia, arriving at the eastern town of Tovarnik which is 1km inside Croatia. There are currently around 2,500 people still in the town, after around 1,000 were taken to Hungary last night. | Most have entered the country through Serbia, arriving at the eastern town of Tovarnik which is 1km inside Croatia. There are currently around 2,500 people still in the town, after around 1,000 were taken to Hungary last night. |
| Earlier, the Croatian prime minister vowed he would continue to transport people to the Hungarian border should they wish. | Earlier, the Croatian prime minister vowed he would continue to transport people to the Hungarian border should they wish. |
| Updated | |
| at 12.20pm BST | |
| 11.23am BST | |
| 11:23 | |
| Henry McDonald | Henry McDonald |
| Our Ireland correspondent writes: | Our Ireland correspondent writes: |
| One pound from every ticketholder passing through the turnstiles at a Belfast Irish League football derby on Saturday will be sent to help the refugees arriving in Europe. | One pound from every ticketholder passing through the turnstiles at a Belfast Irish League football derby on Saturday will be sent to help the refugees arriving in Europe. |
| Cliftonville Football Club is donating £1 from every £10 adult and £5 child entry fee to the European Club Assocation’s 90 Minutes For Hope charity in support of the ongoing refugee crisis. | Cliftonville Football Club is donating £1 from every £10 adult and £5 child entry fee to the European Club Assocation’s 90 Minutes For Hope charity in support of the ongoing refugee crisis. |
| The North Belfast side, Ireland’s oldest football club, hopes to raise thousands at its derby clash with East city rivals Glentoran at 3pm. | The North Belfast side, Ireland’s oldest football club, hopes to raise thousands at its derby clash with East city rivals Glentoran at 3pm. |
| Cliftonville’s chairman, Gerard Lawlor, said buckets would be passed around the club’s Solitude stadium for fans to boost the fundraising scheme. | Cliftonville’s chairman, Gerard Lawlor, said buckets would be passed around the club’s Solitude stadium for fans to boost the fundraising scheme. |
| “Cliftonville Football Club has absolutely no hesitation in signing up to the 90 Minutes For Hope project and, we will be donating £1 to the initiative on behalf of every paying adult at the game with Glentoran. | “Cliftonville Football Club has absolutely no hesitation in signing up to the 90 Minutes For Hope project and, we will be donating £1 to the initiative on behalf of every paying adult at the game with Glentoran. |
| “I have no doubt whatsoever that our supporters will make further contributions out of their own pockets as football fans across the continent join forces to take action in support of Europe’s biggest refugee crisis since the second world war,” Lawlor said. | “I have no doubt whatsoever that our supporters will make further contributions out of their own pockets as football fans across the continent join forces to take action in support of Europe’s biggest refugee crisis since the second world war,” Lawlor said. |
| Updated | |
| at 12.25pm BST | |