BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) – Thousands of migrants who had been stuck for days in southeastern Europe started arriving in Austria early Saturday after Hungary escorted them to the border.
Austrian police reported 6,700 new arrivals from Hungary since midnight. Spokesman Helmut Marban said that about 4,200 people crossed the border at Heiligenkreuz, near the southern city of Graz, while the rest used the Nickelsdorf crossing near Vienna.
Police said border controls continue to be in place, with vehicles being selectively checked and those inside asked for valid travel documents.
The development comes after thousands of migrants, many lacking food and water, were trapped in southeast Europe, in some cases for several days, after countries began putting up barriers that blocked their passage to Western Europe.
The migrant path was first blocked by Hungary, which sealed off its southern border with Serbia with a razor-wire fence and tough other tough measures to keep people out.