Bosnian authorities on October 30 said the country has registered 13,683 irregular migrant arrivals so far this year, nearly half of the 25,000 arrivals reported by the Balkan country in 2019.
Since the start of this year Bosnia has registered 13,683 irregular migrant entries, nearly half of the 25,000 arrivals recorded in the Balkan country in 2019, the security ministry in Sarajevo said on October 30.
According to data provided by humanitarian organizations, a reported 6,377 migrants are currently hosted in centers around Sarajevo and in the canton of Una-Sana (Bihac).
Migrants mainly from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Marocco
Local authorities are trying to reduce the pressure on urban centers, especially in the north-west of the country: the ''Bira'' camp was closed in the center of Bihac and another camp will be closed in Velika Kladusa.
Migrants will be transferred to the village of ''Lipa'', some 20 kilometers away, although the facility is a tent camp and therefore unsuitable for the winter months.
The migrants who reach Bosnia are mainly from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Morocco.
Sarajevo is reportedly discussing with Islamabad a readmissions agreement to deport thousands of Pakistani migrants.
Suspected smuggler arrested in Italy with 17 migrants in van
While the number of irregular entries is reportedly declining in Bosnia this year, undocumented foreigners are continuing to reach Italy through the Balkan route.
Authorities on October 31 said they had stopped a van with 17 undocumented migrants from Pakistan on board.
The van was stopped last week by Trieste border police ad security officers from Muggia at the Italian-Slovenian order crossing of Ospo-Noghere after it was followed across the border by Slovenian police.
Two Belarusian citizens were sitting in the front of the van. They were arrested on charges of aiding and abetting illegal immigration.
In another operation carried out by Trieste and Muggia police in the northeastern region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, officials followed a car that was driving at a high speed in the area of San Dorligo della Valle in the direction of Trieste.
When they stopped the vehicle, officials found six migrants in the car and the trunk. Five were Pakistani nationals and one was from Afghanistan.
The two suspected smugglers, both Pakistani citizens, did not have a driving license. They were arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting illegal immigration. Investigators said the two suspected smugglers intended to bring the migrants to a location near Udine.
The probe is being coordinated by DDA anti-mafia investigators in Trieste.