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Refugee crisis: Croatian PM vows to force Hungary to open borders - live Refugee crisis: Croatian PM vows to force Hungary to open borders - live
(35 minutes later)
12.51pm BST12:51
More than 2,200 people have been rescued from small boats as they attempted the perilous crossing from Libya to Italy over the past 24 hours, the Italian coastguard said.
At least 750 people were crammed onto just three small vessels, and were rescued after they were spotted by a MSF ship, the charity reported.“There are multiple nationalities... Thankfully, everyone is in good health,” said 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 they had spotted earlier. The people onboard are treated for dehydration and taken to reception centres in Italy or Greece, the charity said.
Italy’s coastguard vessel Dattilo said it had 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.
12.30pm BST12:30
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 showing buses are now 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
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
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 12.32pm BST
12.19pm BST12:1912.19pm BST12:19
Summary: Croatia vows to keep sending refugees to HungarySummary: Croatia vows to keep sending refugees to Hungary
Here’s how things look at middayHere’s how things look at midday
11.50am BST11:5011.50am BST11:50
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/221gYsbjc7Empty 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/UCmquD9UzqOn the road to Szentgotthárd following reports #Hungary dropped 4000 #refugees & #migrants on #Austria's doorstep pic.twitter.com/UCmquD9Uzq
11.43am BST11:4311.43am BST11:43
Croatia’s president has said 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,” Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic told AP. “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.”
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.
Updated at 12.19pm BST 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.”
Updated at 12.54pm BST
11.35am BST11:3511.35am BST11:35
Croatian police: more than 20,000 refugees in three daysCroatian 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 one kilometre 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 BST11:2311.23am BST11:23
Henry McDonaldHenry McDonald
Our Ireland correspondent writes:Our Ireland correspondent writes:
One pound spent through the turnstiles at a Belfast Irish League football derby today 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 a pound from every £10 adult ticket 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 soccer 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 Chairman Gerard Lawlor said buckets will also be passed around the club’s Solitude stadium today for fans to boost the fund raising 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, while 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 11.24am BST Updated at 12.25pm BST
11.22am BST11:2211.22am BST11:22
Many of the people who travelled through the night from Croatia to Hungary and were transported on Austria are now waiting and resting in the car park of this former border station near Nickelsdorf. Many of the people who travelled through the night from Croatia to Hungary and were transported on to Austria are now waiting and resting in the carpark of this former border station near Nickelsdorf.
Updated at 12.26pm BST
11.17am BST11:1711.17am BST11:17
The increase in the number of Turkish Airlines flights from African countries could be a major contributing factor to the increasing numbers of people attempting to claim asylum in Europe, the EU’s borders agency has said.The increase in the number of Turkish Airlines flights from African countries could be a major contributing factor to the increasing numbers of people attempting to claim asylum in Europe, the EU’s borders agency has said.
The Telegraph’s Matthew Holehouse draws attention to this part of Frontex’s Western Balkans report from last week.The Telegraph’s Matthew Holehouse draws attention to this part of Frontex’s Western Balkans report from last week.
“The increase in detected Africans in the Western Balkans could be partly explained by the expansion of Turkish Airlines connection network in Africa.” The increase in detected Africans in the western Balkans could be partly explained by the expansion of Turkish Airlines connection network in Africa.
“It already boasts the largest network in the continent among foreign carriers, overtaking Air France and Emirates. By the end of 2015, Turkish Airlines will have at least 45 destinations in its African network across 30 countries. It already boasts the largest network in the continent among foreign carriers, overtaking Air France and Emirates. By the end of 2015, Turkish Airlines will have at least 45 destinations in its African network across 30 countries.
“For comparison, Air France, which has the second largest African network among European carriers, offers flights to 34 destinations. Brussels Airlines has 19 African destinations on offer, British Airways 18 and Lufthansa 13.” For comparison, Air France, which has the second largest African network among European carriers, offers flights to 34 destinations. Brussels Airlines has 19 African destinations on offer, British Airways 18 and Lufthansa 13.”
Updated at 12.27pm BST
10.51am BST10:5110.51am BST10:51
Hungary has announced it has completed placing barbed wire along 41 kilometres of its border with Croatia to stop the passage of refugees on their way through Europe. Hungary has announced it has completed placing barbed wire along 41km of its border with Croatia to stop the passage of refugees on their way through Europe.
“The fence was finished overnight Friday,” Attila Kovacs told AFP.“The fence was finished overnight Friday,” Attila Kovacs told AFP.
The remaining 330 kilometres of the border runs along the Drava river, which is fast-flowing and difficult to get across. Hundreds of soldiers and police have been deployed to patrol the border fence. The remaining 330km of the border runs along the Drava river, which is fast-flowing and difficult to cross. Hundreds of soldiers and police have been deployed to patrol the border fence.
Updated at 12.27pm BST
10.28am BST10:2810.28am BST10:28
Croatian reporter Hrvoje Kresic is following the prime minister’s speech, where he repeated his commitment to help refugees reach Hungary should they wish. The Croatian reporter Hrvoje Kresic is following the prime minister’s speech, where he repeated his commitment to help refugees reach Hungary should they wish.
#Croatia PM Milanović: We will continue to help #refugees reach borders of #Hungary and #Slovenia. They don't want to be here.#Croatia PM Milanović: We will continue to help #refugees reach borders of #Hungary and #Slovenia. They don't want to be here.
#Croatia PM Milanovic on train issue: There was no deal with #Hungary. #Refugees wanted to go westward, so we forced Hungary to accept them.#Croatia PM Milanovic on train issue: There was no deal with #Hungary. #Refugees wanted to go westward, so we forced Hungary to accept them.
Meanwhile, on the Slovenia border, a football match across two countries... Meanwhile, on the Slovenia border, a football match is played across two countries …
And this is how #refugees can have fun with #Croatia police while waiting for #Slovenia to let them in :) pic.twitter.com/JHqaIfcCjEAnd this is how #refugees can have fun with #Croatia police while waiting for #Slovenia to let them in :) pic.twitter.com/JHqaIfcCjE
Updated at 12.28pm BST
10.07am BST10:0710.07am BST10:07
Austria: 6,700 have arrived since midnight
Austrian police say 6,700 people have arrived since midnight after Hungary started escorting people to the border.Austrian police say 6,700 people have arrived since midnight after Hungary started escorting people to the border.
Police spokesman Helmut Marban has told AP around 4,200 people crossed the border at Heiligenkreuz, near the southern city of Graz, while the remainder used the Nickelsdorf crossing near Vienna.Police spokesman Helmut Marban has told AP around 4,200 people crossed the border at Heiligenkreuz, near the southern city of Graz, while the remainder used the Nickelsdorf crossing near Vienna.
Austria has border controls in place and vehicles are being spot-checked by police requesting travel documents.Austria has border controls in place and vehicles are being spot-checked by police requesting travel documents.
Updated at 12.20pm BST
10.02am BST10:0210.02am BST10:02
We'll force Hungary to keep accepting refugees, says Croatian PM
The Croatian prime minister, Zoran Milanovic, has been speaking this morning about the tense situation with Hungary, during a visit to Beli Manastir near the border.The Croatian prime minister, Zoran Milanovic, has been speaking this morning about the tense situation with Hungary, during a visit to Beli Manastir near the border.
He said Croatia would continue to redirect people to Hungary, as it did last night, in order to force a response from their north-eastern neighbour.He said Croatia would continue to redirect people to Hungary, as it did last night, in order to force a response from their north-eastern neighbour.
There has not been an agreement with Hungary. We have in some way compelled them to accept the refugees by sending them [to the Hungarian border] and we will continue to do so.There has not been an agreement with Hungary. We have in some way compelled them to accept the refugees by sending them [to the Hungarian border] and we will continue to do so.
The Croatian government’s official Twitter account reported early this morning that trains had returned to the Croatian town of Torvanik to pick up more refugees and take them to the Hungarian boarder.The Croatian government’s official Twitter account reported early this morning that trains had returned to the Croatian town of Torvanik to pick up more refugees and take them to the Hungarian boarder.
#Refugees were transferred from Tovarnik to Botovo on the HUN border tonight. They arrived at 5:20am. The train went back to pick up more.#Refugees were transferred from Tovarnik to Botovo on the HUN border tonight. They arrived at 5:20am. The train went back to pick up more.
Updated at 10.36am BST Updated at 12.20pm BST
9.53am BST09:539.53am BST09:53
EU asylum applications rise by 85% since 2014EU asylum applications rise by 85% since 2014
The EU’s data agency has published some detailed figures about asylum seekers in Europe over the first half of the summer, revealing the dramatic rise in the number of people arriving since the start of the refugee crisis:The EU’s data agency has published some detailed figures about asylum seekers in Europe over the first half of the summer, revealing the dramatic rise in the number of people arriving since the start of the refugee crisis:
The statistics have made the front page of the Daily Mail this morning, leading on the fact that four out of five asylum seekers are not Syrian.The statistics have made the front page of the Daily Mail this morning, leading on the fact that four out of five asylum seekers are not Syrian.
Today's front page: Four out of five migrants aren't Syrians http://t.co/Bx4VmLeaMG #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/HSh7y9theMToday's front page: Four out of five migrants aren't Syrians http://t.co/Bx4VmLeaMG #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/HSh7y9theM
Updated at 10.04am BSTUpdated at 10.04am BST
9.35am BST09:359.35am BST09:35
Hungarian authorities escort people to border with AustriaHungarian authorities escort people to border with Austria
Since Croatia, overwhelmed by the large number of people crossing through the country, drove busloads of people to the Hungarian border, Budapest has now organised an escort for those people to the Austria border.Since Croatia, overwhelmed by the large number of people crossing through the country, drove busloads of people to the Hungarian border, Budapest has now organised an escort for those people to the Austria border.
Hungary’s defence minister, Istvan Simicsko, announced that he has called up some volunteer military reservists to help deal with the crisis, the state news agency MTI reported today.Hungary’s defence minister, Istvan Simicsko, announced that he has called up some volunteer military reservists to help deal with the crisis, the state news agency MTI reported today.
In Slovenia, hundreds of people are camping out in Obrezje, which is just across the Croatian border, with authorities reportedly only allowing families with women and children to continue through the country.In Slovenia, hundreds of people are camping out in Obrezje, which is just across the Croatian border, with authorities reportedly only allowing families with women and children to continue through the country.
Updated at 9.44am BSTUpdated at 9.44am BST
9.25am BST09:259.25am BST09:25
Some tragic news from Greece this morning, a five-year-old Syrian girl has been found dead and several other refugees are missing after their boat sank, Turkey’s state news agency has reported.Some tragic news from Greece this morning, a five-year-old Syrian girl has been found dead and several other refugees are missing after their boat sank, Turkey’s state news agency has reported.
The Greek coastguard said it had rescued 11 people, including a man and a child who were being treated in hospital for hypothermia, and it was looking for other survivors east of Lesbos.The Greek coastguard said it had rescued 11 people, including a man and a child who were being treated in hospital for hypothermia, and it was looking for other survivors east of Lesbos.
“We were told there were 26 people in the boat in total,” a coastguard spokeswoman told Agence France-Presse.“We were told there were 26 people in the boat in total,” a coastguard spokeswoman told Agence France-Presse.
Since the pictures of three-year-old Alan Kurdi were splashed across newspapers around the world, more children have been found dead on the beaches, with the body of another four-year-old Syrian girl washed up on a beach in western Turkey on Friday.Since the pictures of three-year-old Alan Kurdi were splashed across newspapers around the world, more children have been found dead on the beaches, with the body of another four-year-old Syrian girl washed up on a beach in western Turkey on Friday.
More than 2,600 people have died in the Mediterranean this year.More than 2,600 people have died in the Mediterranean this year.
Updated at 9.35am BSTUpdated at 9.35am BST
9.18am BST09:189.18am BST09:18
SummarySummary
Good morning, the worsening refugee crisis across Europe continues to draw bordering countries into bitter stand-offs. Here are the main developments overnight:Good morning, the worsening refugee crisis across Europe continues to draw bordering countries into bitter stand-offs. Here are the main developments overnight:
Updated at 9.41am BSTUpdated at 9.41am BST