Austria's police allowed some commuters to cross the Slovakian border without thorough checks during rush hour. /CGTN/Dworschak
After three European Union (EU) countries introduced border checks with Slovakia on Wednesday morning, the Slovak government announced it will also start regular checks on its border to Hungary on Thursday.
This is despite the fact that all these countries are part of the Schengen zone of free movement.
Slovakia recently reported a massive surge in migrant arrivals from Syria and other areas of crisis, prompting its western and northern neighbors to react. In recent weeks, the number of incoming migrants has risen by 900 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the Slovakia's interior ministry.
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The migrants usually use the Balkan route via Serbia and Hungary and arrive in Slovakia. Given the increased numbers, Poland and Czechia took coordinated action to introduce checks along their borders with Slovakia, prompting Austria to follow suit.
Tighter controls have been introduced elsewhere in Europe too. Last week, Germany started random checks at its borders with Poland and Czechia, but abstaining from introducing permanent controls.
At the Berg border crossing, all vans and lorries are opened to check for illegal migrants. /CGTN/Dworschak
Berlin accused Russia and Belarus of being partly responsible for Germany's sharp increase in migration arrivals, claiming that Russia deliberately flies in refugees from Syria with the aim of destabilizing Europe.
Slovakia's government said the border checks will lead to a cascade effect with an unclear result, adding that the issue needed a European fix. Thousands of commuters crossing the country's border every day are keen for their governments to find a solution.
"The border control includes checking the travel documents and also checking the vehicle," Austrian police spokesperson Johann Baumschlager told CGTN at the Berg border crossing between Vienna and Bratislava. "We also open small lorries and vans. And if there are people inside who are illegal, they will be denied entry if they do not apply for asylum here in Austria... and any traffickers will be arrested."
The new controls, in Austria, Poland and Czechia, will continue for at least 10 days.
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