24 Oct 2018 | 12:58 PM UTC
Bosnia-Herzegovina: Maljevac border crossing closes amid migrants surge Oct. 24
Maljevac border crossing closes after hundreds of migrants block main access on October 24; associated disruptions expected
Event
The Maljevac border crossing between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia was closed to traffic on Wednesday morning, October 24 (local time), after migrants blocked the main road leading to the checkpoint. Hundreds of migrants have attempted to cross the border into Croatia in recent days, resulting in scuffles with police forces.
On a related note, around 90 migrants are reportedly blocked on a train near the Bosnian border town of Bihac, with police blocking access to the city due to a lack of accommodation capacity.
Context
On October 23, hundreds of migrants gathered at the Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia border after false information spread suggesting that Croatia would allow them in. Between 3000 and 5000 migrants reportedly reside in Bihac, among which hundreds live without shelter due to a lack of adequate infrastructure. Anti-migrant protests erupted in the city, October 20-22.
Advice
Individuals in the area are advised to avoid all protests as a precaution and seek alternate travel arrangements if necessary.
