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Migrant crisis: Tensions rise as Balkan path blocked Migrant crisis: Thousands stranded at Balkan borders
(about 2 hours later)
Tensions are building among thousands of migrants heading north through Balkan states as their route to western Europe is stalled by new controls. Thousands of migrants have been stranded at borders in the Balkans, in cold and wet conditions, as their path to western Europe is blocked.
Many spent Sunday night in the cold and rain as Slovenia restricted the numbers it allows in from Croatia. Several hundred, including young children and babies, spent the night in the open at Croatia's border with Slovenia.
Restrictions on the flow have produced bottlenecks on Croatia's borders with Slovenia and Serbia. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) also complained of a lack of basic supplies at the Serbia-Croatia border.
An official told the BBC that Croatia could run out of room in its transit camps within days. The western Balkan route has been disrupted by government restrictions.
Hundreds of thousands of migrants, many from Syria, Africa and Afghanistan, have been making their way from Turkey to the Balkans in recent months, in a bid to reach Germany, Sweden and other EU states.
But Slovenia decided at the weekend to restrict the numbers crossing its territory in response to what it said was Austria's new policy of cutting the numbers entering - something Austria denies. Hungary earlier closed its border with Croatia to migrants.
More than 10,000 migrants are now stranded in Serbia, barred from entering Croatia, according the UNHCR.
"There is a lack of food, lack of blankets - we are missing everything," spokeswoman Melita Sunjic told Reuters.
At Serbia's Berkasovo border crossing point, the director of the London-based Humanitas charity, Dr Ramiz Momeni, described "an onslaught of people" and problems with hypothermia.
"We don't have a chance to treat; we don't have the actual medicine to be given out; we don't have any more rain coats."
On the Croatia-Slovenia border, 500 people spent the night in the open at Trnovec. Police have now allowed them to shelter under canopies attached to immigration huts.
A further 1,800-2,000 slept on a train held on the Croatian side of the border.
Officials told them they could stay temporarily in Croatia or try to make their own way into Slovenia.
Croatia had asked its northern neighbour Slovenia to accept 5,000 migrants daily, but Slovenia said it would only take half that number.Croatia had asked its northern neighbour Slovenia to accept 5,000 migrants daily, but Slovenia said it would only take half that number.
Slovenia blamed Austrian restrictions to the north, but Austria denies imposing limits.
At Trnovec, on the Croatia-Slovenia border, migrants strung blankets between trees for shelter. Some used branches for firewood.
Between 1,800 and 2,000 spent the night on a train held on the Croatian side of the border.
Officials offered them the chance to stay temporarily in Croatia or told them they could try to make their own way into Slovenia.
Thousands of asylum seekers, from Syria, Africa and Afghanistan, are travelling north through the Balkans, with most aiming to reach Austria, Germany and other EU states.
Hungary, citing security concerns, has closed its borders with Serbia and Croatia, forcing migrants to switch to a slower route via Slovenia.
Explaining Slovenia's new restrictions on Sunday, Interior Ministry State Secretary Bostjan Sefic said its northern neighbour Austria was only accepting a maximum of 1,500 people a day.Explaining Slovenia's new restrictions on Sunday, Interior Ministry State Secretary Bostjan Sefic said its northern neighbour Austria was only accepting a maximum of 1,500 people a day.
He said that Slovenia "cannot accept unlimited numbers of migrants if we know that they cannot continue their journey".He said that Slovenia "cannot accept unlimited numbers of migrants if we know that they cannot continue their journey".
But a spokesman for the Austrian Interior Ministry, Karl Heinz Grundboeck, told the BBC that Austria was continuing to allow in migrants from Slovenia.But a spokesman for the Austrian Interior Ministry, Karl Heinz Grundboeck, told the BBC that Austria was continuing to allow in migrants from Slovenia.
He said were no specific limits on the number of people allowed in each day and that migrants were continuing to arrive.He said were no specific limits on the number of people allowed in each day and that migrants were continuing to arrive.
About 5,000 migrants spent a cold night in a transit camp in Opatovac, eastern Croatia. Hungary, citing security concerns, has closed its borders with Serbia and Croatia, forcing migrants to switch to a slower route via Slovenia.
Buses crammed with people were backed up in Serbia on Sunday, and tempers flared between frustrated migrants and overstretched police officers. There are reports in Slovenian media that restrictions on its borders with Austria and Croatia are being eased.
The BBC's Guy Delauney at Croatia's border with Slovenia says the situation has changed from an orderly flow of refugees to one where people are being asked to take their chances with the risks that entails.
Over the border in Serbia, thousands had been kept in about 50 buses since early on Sunday waiting to cross to Croatia.
The migrants have already spent weeks walking from Turkey, via Greece, Macedonia and Serbia.
Germany's welcome for Syrian migrants continues to create internal political tensions.Germany's welcome for Syrian migrants continues to create internal political tensions.
The Pegida organisation, which campaigns against immigration, says it expects tens of thousands to demonstrate in the eastern city of Dresden on Monday evening.The Pegida organisation, which campaigns against immigration, says it expects tens of thousands to demonstrate in the eastern city of Dresden on Monday evening.
Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere has described Pegida as "hard-right extremists".Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere has described Pegida as "hard-right extremists".
Read more:Read more:
Can deeds match words?: The challenges ahead for the EU and TurkeyCan deeds match words?: The challenges ahead for the EU and Turkey
The pull of Europe: Five migrant storiesThe pull of Europe: Five migrant stories
Merkel under pressure: Chancellor's migrant policy faces criticism at homeMerkel under pressure: Chancellor's migrant policy faces criticism at home
Focus on Turkey: Why the EU views Syria's northern neighbour as keyFocus on Turkey: Why the EU views Syria's northern neighbour as key
Crisis in graphics: Migration numbers explainedCrisis in graphics: Migration numbers explained
More than 600,000 people, most of them Syrians, have reached Europe so far this year compared with just over 200,000 for the whole of 2014More than 600,000 people, most of them Syrians, have reached Europe so far this year compared with just over 200,000 for the whole of 2014
Germany has said it expects 800,000 asylum seekers this year, but it is believed the number could be as high as 1.5 million.Germany has said it expects 800,000 asylum seekers this year, but it is believed the number could be as high as 1.5 million.
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.
Have you been affected by the migration crisis? You can share your comments and experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the migration crisis? You can share your comments and experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below