On Monday, almost 5,000 refugees entered Slovenia from neighbouring Croatia after the latter opened its borders to Syrian refugees. Croatia earlier announced that it will only accept 2,500 refugees per day to pass through its borders en route to Slovenia. The announcement came on Friday after Hungary shut its borders with Croatia, which in turn prompted Croatia to limit the inflow of migrants to 2,500 a day.

Croatia’s Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said there is no other solution than to let these refugees pass through Croatia and reach Slovenia as conditions in the Serbian border side continue to grow unbearable. Ponchos and bags of food were handed out to travellers. Croatian officials provided buses that would bring the new comers to Croatian refugee camp or to the Slovenian border, which is the most likely case. Refugees refuse to stop at any cost and would rather continue traversing towards their desired destination, often either of the European Union states, particularly Germany.

The influx of people after Croatia opened its borders allowed around 5,000 refugees to enter the Slovenian border by Monday. At least 900 asylum seekers have reached Austria by evening. Despite allowing almost 5,000 refugees to enter on Monday, Slovenia has vowed to only accept 2,500 refugees per day. Slovenian President Borut Pahor noted that the country would only accept travellers who can be channelled directly to Austria. Pahor added that the country’s acceptance of refugees will depend on Austria’s capability and that as long as Austria is able to control the influx of people, then it will continue opening its borders. Dependency of the country’s decision lies on Austrian action because Slovenia is determined not to be left holding the bag should Austria or Germany stop accepting asylum seekers, AP reports. Vienna denied allegations that it has limited its own intake of refugees.

Borders of some of the Balkan countries have been closed. This led to more than 10,000 being stranded in Serbia under the rain and cold wind, soaked in mud, according to the United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees. UNHCR spokesman Melita Sunjic described the influx as “a big river of people, and if you stop the flow, you will have floods somewhere. That’s what’s happening now.” Sunjic was referring to the borders that were closed by Hungary which led to Slovenia, Serbia, Macedonia and Croatia slowing down the flow of migrants to the Balkan region.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES