Refugee crisis: Austria welcomes thousands of migrants arriving at its border on busses from Hungary
Move eases pressure on Hungary which has struggled to manage the flow migrants across its own border
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.More than 4,000 migrants have arrived in Austria, arriving at the border on a fleet of busses provided by the Hungarian government.
Austrian Red Cross workers provided hot tea and blankets to the migrants in hastily assembled shelters.
Many collapsed in exhaustion on the floor, but all appeared jubilant at their arrival.
The migrants arrival in Austria eases pressure on Hungary, which has struggled to manage the flow of thousands of people across its own border.
The move was made possible after Austria, on Hungary's western border, announced it would follow Germany in taking responsibility for the migrants.
Werner Faymann, the Austrian chancellor, announced the decision after speaking with German chancellor Angela Merkel.
Hungary had demanded that migrants crossing through its territory report to government-run asylum centres, leading to a tense stand-off with migrants for several days.
The government eventually relented on that demand in the face of resistance from the migrants, largely from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The migrants, blocked by the authorities from boarding international trains in Budapest, began the 135km journey on foot, leading to a half-mile-long line of humanity streaming from Keleti station onto the main road.
Some where in wheelchairs and others were on crutches.
Hundreds more people broke through police lines at a train station in the western town of Bicske, where police were trying to take them to a refugee camp.
On Friday the Hungarian authorities dispatched busses to pick up the migrants and transport them to the border with Austria.
Zoltan Kovacs, a spokesman for the Hungarian government, told The Associated Press the buses had been provided as an exceptional measure.
He said Hungary would continue to abide by EU rules, which include an obligation to register all asylum seekers at the first EU point of entry.
Austrian Federal Railways said the arriving migrants would be placed on trains to the capital, Vienna, and the city of Salzburg.
Although Austria says it will offer the newcomers asylum opportunities, most say they want to settle in Germany.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments