Many migrants leave Serbian border with Hungary, head to Croatia

Migrants have been streaming into European Union member Croatia for two days, their path into the bloc via Hungary blocked by a metal fence, the threat of imprisonment and riot police who fired teargas and water cannon on Wednesday to drive back stone-throwing men. Later, a train packed with over 1,000 migrants crossed the border and stopped at the Hungarian town of Magyarboly, where they were directed by police and soldiers onto another train on an adjacent platform.

Police said Friday that 453 illegal immigrants were detained in Baranya county next to the Croatian border by midnight (2200 GMT), mostly Syrians and Afghans.

Croatia had said it would let people pass through freely on their way to other European Union countries, but Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic warned his country’s resources for dealing with the huge influx were “limited”.

Croatia said it might have to use the army to stop thousands of migrants criss-crossing the western Balkans in their quest for sanctuary.

Numerous refugees and migrants entering Croatia try to travel onwards to Slovenia – but its police force has vowed to send back anyone who attempts to cross its borders.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker affirmed his support to Milanovic during a Friday telephone conversation, offering technical and logistical assistance to Croatia.

But they have little choice after Hungary sealed off its southern border with Serbia on Tuesday and began arresting anyone caught trying to enter the country illegally.

Thousands of migrants switched their route, streaming into Croatia, and then on Friday into Hungary and Slovenia in what critics say is becoming a desperate game of human ping-pong.

The border closures in Croatia and Hungary mean the main land route from Greece to northern Europe has effectively been cut off, reports the BBC.

Tensions are growing in Croatia as long lines of refugees wait to board trains and buses after the prime minister said they would be redirected to Hungary and Slovenia.

“Terrorism is not coming with us” he added.

Police were also deployed in a suburb of capital Zagreb, taking up positions around a hotel housing hundreds of migrants, some of them on balconies shouting “Freedom!”

“I was shocked to see how these refugees and migrants were treated”.

“If they had not done so, given that Serbia is a safe country, they will be rejected”.