Croatians say: We can’t take any more migrants
CROATIA last night declared it could not keep taking refugees as Europe’s migrant crisis spread further.
Officials admitted they could not cope after the influx of 9,000 migrants – and said the border would be shut if 8,000 more crossed in a day.
Croatia had said it would welcome people after Hungary shut its border, cutting off a main route into the EU.
But, as numbers swelled, authorities reached breaking point – and the president readied the army.
In the town of Tovarnik hundreds broke away from police, fleeing down railway lines and through fields. As scuffles broke out, one man had a heart attack.
Last night, as riot police struggled to control growing crowds, interior minister Ranko Ostojic said: ‘Croatia will close its border with Serbia if we witness again 8,000 migrants entering the country in one day.’
There will be an emergency summit of EU member leaders in Brussels next week to find a solution. European Commission plans to spread 160,000 refugees among member states are already being overhauled.
When asked to defend its ‘shambolic’ handling of the crisis, commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said: ‘Shambles or not, that’s how the EU works.’
The situation looked likely to worsen as Greek officials said they were preparing for more Syrians crossing its land border with Turkey.
Crowds poured into Croatia yes- terday as they headed towards Germany through the western Balkans after Hungary’s border was closed.
Migrants who had been camped on the Serbia-Hungary border fled following clashes on Wednesday in which police used tear gas and water cannons on crowds. Serbian doctors said two people were seriously injured and up to 300 sought medical help.
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban has built a 13ft razor-wire fence along the 110-mile border with Serbia and brought in tough laws that could see those who damage it jailed for up to five years.
EU migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos yesterday condemned Mr Orban’s strategy as he visited the country. ‘Passing on the refugee problem from one country to another is not a solution,’ he said.
But he said the commission was dropping plans for 54,000 asylum seekers to be relocated from Hungary after Mr Orban argued it would draw even more to his country.
Meanwhile, the head of Germany’s office for migration and refugees resigned as the country continued to struggle with its influx. Police said 7,266 refugees arrived on Wednesday – more than double the previous day’s 3,442. Chancellor Angela Merkel had declared her country’s doors open before re-introducing border controls at the weekend.
And in Dunkirk yesterday, armed police raided the Grande Synthe migrant camp, seizing 15 suspected members of British-run peoplesmuggling gangs. Prosecutor Eric Fouard said: ‘There will be more arrests as part of this operation.’