Refugee numbers in Serbia up 55% on 2021
The Serbian authorities reported in late June that there were just over 7,000 refugees in the country, a 55% increase over the same period of the previous year, mostly due to the war in Ukraine.
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Slovenia to dismantle border fence with Croatia
Slovenia has announced that it will be taking down its border fence on the Croatian border by the end of the year. The Interior Ministry confirmed the plan to the news agency STA.
Decline in migrant numbers along Bosnian-Croatian border
Migrants in the Balkans are reportedly exploring new routes to enter the EU, as the number of irregular border crossings from the Una-Sana Canton in the west of Bosnia and Herzegovina into Croatia has been decreasing.
Serbia: NGO demands more reception places for Ukrainian refugees
Serbia's government has said that they are ready to accommodate refugees from Ukraine. However, NGO Asylum Protection Center has claimed that Serbia does currently not have enough places to accommodate all refugees who are expected to arrive.
Why are migrants from India attempting to reach the EU via 'Balkan route?'
Officials in Serbia say more people from India have been joining migrants from other South Asian countries in trying to reach the EU by irregular means over the past few months.
Hungary intercepts truck with 30 migrants – after firing shots
Hungarian police have fired several gunshots at a truck carrying about 30 hidden passengers presumed to be irregular migrants. The vehicle drove through a checkpoint at the country's border with Austria without stopping when police tried to intervene.
Healing through fashion: IOM in Bosnia allows migrants to become designers and models for one night
Fashion might be the furthest thing on the minds of people escaping war, persecution and hardship. However, an initiative in Bosnia-Herzegovina makes sure that creative ideas by migrants get to have their own moment in the limelight.
More than 50 migrants discovered in truck in North Macedonia
Police in North Macedonia say that they have discovered 53 people crammed inside a truck. The driver of the vehicle was reportedly arrested during the police operation.
Police discover 42 migrants in truck in North Macedonia
Authorities in North Macedonia have discovered 42 migrants packed to the back of a truck. It appeared that they were part of a group of largely Syrian nationals due to be sent back to Greece.
Bulgaria sends troops to Turkish and Greek borders
Bulgaria has announced that it is sending hundreds of soldiers to its southern frontiers to stop migrants from crossing from Turkey and Greece. Bulgaria's defence ministry says pressure on its borders is increasing.
Migrants entering EU via the 'Balkan route' up 90% on 2020
According to the EU border agency Frontex, the number of irregular border crossings to the European Union via the so-called ‘Balkan route’ is up 90% on last year. The majority of those arriving are from Syria and Afghanistan.
Migrants warned of dangers of landmines on Balkan route
The IOM is warning migrants of the dangers posed by landmines, as well as other risks such as drowning, abuse, exploitation and gender-based violence along the Balkan route.