The plight of Syrian refugees and migrants fleeing to Europe from wars and persecution in the Middle East and Africa worsened Saturday, with new tensions emerging between the bordering nations of Croatia and Hungary.
Unexpected buses and trains of at least 4,000 to 5,000 refugees began arriving in Hungary Friday and Saturday, sent by the Croatian government.
“They will get food, water and medical help, and then they can move on,” said Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic on his government’s policy towards migrants, reported Reuters. “The European Union must know that Croatia will not become a migrant ‘hotspot’. We have hearts, but we also have heads.”
Hungary agreed earlier to transport 1,000 migrants from Croatia, but it appears the government of the Balkan nation sent more than 4 times that many, with more still pouring in Saturday, Reuters reports. Hungary claims the number is closer to 8,000, the BBC reports.
Milanovic said his country’s policy “forced” the migrants across the border.
“We forced them, by sending people up there. And we’ll keep doing it,” he said.
Hungary is a Schengen nation of the European Union, meaning once in Hungary, migrants can legally cross between national borders of most of continental Europe. As a result of the unprecedented crisis, however, some countries are setting apparent temporary border checks, including Germany.
