Croatia to Start Redirecting Migrants to Slovenia, Hungary, PM Says

Croatia is not closing its borders, but has reached its capacity and will redirect people to Slovenia and Hungary, Prime Minister Zoran Milanovi? has said.

Slovenia has meanwhile effectively closed its border with Croatia and is refusing to accept migrants.

This comes as, by 9:00 local time, more than 14 000 had entered Croatian territory, according to the country's Interior Ministry website. The influx rose on Wednesday after Hungary sealed off its border with Serbia and migrants moving across Serbia from the country's southern region of Presevo were redirected to Sid at the Croatian border.

Zagreb then said it would accept migrants crossing into the country, but announced it was closing 7 of its 8 border points with Serbia on Thursday morning.

Later on Thursday, Milanovi? also made clear that migrants that have already entered will be provided with food, water and medical help, "where necessary", as the BBC quotes him as saying.

#Croatia's President put the military on alert yesterday. Today PM said troops were not an option. http://t.co/hN8vel55f8 #refugeescrisis

? Balkanist Magazine (@Balkanist) September 18, 2015

He has also dismissed the option of asking the military to protect the borders which was raised by President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovi?.

Croatia's PM: "I think it is clear that "they don't want to stay here" #refugeecrisis. Also: "Hungarian border is closer than Slovenian".

? Jelena Prtoric (@yellena_p) September 18, 2015

"If #Hungary sends army to the border with Croatia?" #Croatia's PM: "I would like to see that". #refugees

? Jelena Prtoric (@yellena_p) September 18, 2015

Reuters...