Migrants at a high as fence is beaten

RECORD NUMBERS of migrants are entering Hungary as a fence being built on the country’s border with Serbia is proving futile.

Police said 2,533 migrants were detained on Tuesday, up from 2,093 on Monday and by far the highest figure of the year.

After requesting asylum and registering with authorities, migrants are sent to one of Hungary’s refugee centres but most try to leave for richer EU countries like Germany or Sweden.

Scores of migrants were seen on Tuesday morning near the border town of Roszke, climbing over or crawling under the barbed wire to enter Hungary – just as they had done at the Greek-Macedonia border.

Police used tear gas to break up clashes involving about 200 migrants as the registration process was delayed.

Some 1,302 migrants had been detained at the southern border with Serbia by 7.30am, according to police. Authorities have promised further steps to try to secure the border.

Karoly Papp, Hungary’s national police chief, said six police units of 2,106 “border hunters” would be deployed from September 15, with helicopters, police dogs and patrols on horseback taking part in the security efforts along the border.

Around 50 bodies have been found in the hull of a migrant boat rescued off Libya’s northern coast. The bodies add to the more than 2,400 people who have died at sea this year making the Mediterranean crossing to Europe.

Italy’s coast guard said the Swedish ship Poseiden, which is taking part in the EU’s Triton Mediterranean operation, rescued 439 people from the ship on Wednesday.