Sweden introduces new border checks to stem migrant flow

In Denmark, train operator DSB said it will start emptying all trains at Copenhagen Airport, the last stop before the Oresund Bridge to Sweden. All people traveling via train or bus through the bridge or by using ferry services will be denied entry without proper documentation, BBC News reports.

Security staff check people’s identification at Kastrups train station outside Copenhagen, today.

Germany on Monday said it saw the passport-free Schengen zone “in danger” after Sweden and Denmark announced new controls at their borders to stem a migrant influx.

Over a million refugees have crossed in Europe over land and by sea over the past year as they flee conflict and oppression in the Middle East and Africa.

Several other European Union countries, including Germany, Austria and France, also re-imposed border checks past year as the continent grappled with its biggest refugee crisis since World War II.

Sweden has seen a decrease in the number of people seeking asylum in recent weeks, following news of tighter border checks and stricter rules for residency permits.

Seibert said that Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen had informed Merkel of his decision before making the announcement.

The country says its asylum system can not cope and that other European Union states must take in more refugees.

The new policy caused some delays early Monday, particularly for commuters who live in Sweden and work in neighboring Denmark – almost 75,000 people a day cross the Oresund bridge between the two countries – but fears of traffic chaos and a backlog of refugees did not materialize.

Denmark has stepped up border controls at its southern boundary with Germany to stem the flow of migrants.

Stockholm says it is unable to accommodate any more, although a senior government official told Swedish Radio that up 220 municipalities say they “can do more”.

The German clampdown prompted neighbouring countries to impose similar checks at their own borders.

Along with Germany, Sweden is one of the main destinations for migrants – with some 150,000 applying for asylum in 2015.

In response, Germany’s foreign ministry spokesman, Martin Schaefer, told reporters that the refugee crisis was putting Europe’s border-free Schengen area “in danger”. After that time, the border controls can be extended by 20 days at a time as the situation warrants, the PM said.

“The Swedish ID checks can increase the risk of a large number of illegal immigrants to accumulate in and around Copenhagen”, said Rasmussen at a press meeting in Copenhagen. “The solution won’t be found at national borders between country A and country B”.