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Migrant crisis: Greece acts over Lesbos 'explosion' fears Migrant crisis: Greece acts over Lesbos 'explosion' fears
(about 1 hour later)
The Greek government and the UN refugee agency have brought in extra staff and ships to deal with some 25,000 stranded migrants on the island of Lesbos.The Greek government and the UN refugee agency have brought in extra staff and ships to deal with some 25,000 stranded migrants on the island of Lesbos.
A processing centre has been also set up on an abandoned football ground to help the migrants to get to Athens.A processing centre has been also set up on an abandoned football ground to help the migrants to get to Athens.
A Greek minister said on Monday Lesbos was "on the verge of an explosion".A Greek minister said on Monday Lesbos was "on the verge of an explosion".
Meanwhile, hundreds of migrants broke through police lines on Hungary's border with Serbia and started walking towards the capital, Budapest.Meanwhile, hundreds of migrants broke through police lines on Hungary's border with Serbia and started walking towards the capital, Budapest.
Scuffles erupted at the holding centre in Roszke as migrants tried to force their way past police. Stones were thrown at officers, who responded with pepper spray. Scuffles had erupted at a cornfield in Roszke where a poorly equipped migrant holding centre has been set up. Stones were thrown at officers, who responded with pepper spray.
About 300 were later seen walking along a motorway, escorted by police officers. About 300 migrants were later seen walking the wrong way along a motorway, escorted by police officers, though they later agreed to be taken by bus to another reception centre.
However, as darkness fell they reportedly agreed to be taken by bus to a reception centre. Further south, the BBC's James Reynolds reports queues 100m (330 feet) long of migrants waiting to pass from Macedonia into Serbia.
Hungary has become a flashpoint as thousands of migrants and refugees from the Middle East and Africa move north to claim asylum in Germany and other countries. Hungary has become a bottleneck as thousands of migrants and refugees from the Middle East and Africa move north to claim asylum in Germany and other countries.
Hungarian Defence Minister Csaba Hende resigned on Monday, reportedly over problems with the construction of a border fence meant to keep migrants out. Hungarian Defence Minister Csaba Hende surprised even his own colleagues when he resigned on Monday, in a move correspondents say was clearly related to problems with the construction of a border fence meant to keep migrants out but which has so far proved ineffective.
Hungary had previously blocked those heading north, insisting they be registered there first as required under EU rules. But it dropped restrictions on Friday after struggling to cope with thousands camping in Budapest.Hungary had previously blocked those heading north, insisting they be registered there first as required under EU rules. But it dropped restrictions on Friday after struggling to cope with thousands camping in Budapest.
About 20,000 migrants made their way from Hungary into Austria and Germany over the weekend.About 20,000 migrants made their way from Hungary into Austria and Germany over the weekend.
Separately, German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that the "breathtaking" flow of migrants into Germany would change the country in the coming years. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that the "breathtaking" flow of migrants into Germany will change the country in the coming years.
In other developments:In other developments:
What next for Germany's asylum seekers?What next for Germany's asylum seekers?
Peston: Why Germany needs migrants more than UKPeston: Why Germany needs migrants more than UK
What can the EU do to solve the crisis?What can the EU do to solve the crisis?
Danish anti-migrant ads in LebanonDanish anti-migrant ads in Lebanon
Nine key moments in crisisNine key moments in crisis
Squalid conditionsSqualid conditions
On Monday, officials said that the processing centre on Lesbos would operate around the clock for five days.On Monday, officials said that the processing centre on Lesbos would operate around the clock for five days.
The hope is that it will help people to buy tickets for specially chartered ships to get to Athens, the BBC's Jonny Dymond on Lesbos reports.The hope is that it will help people to buy tickets for specially chartered ships to get to Athens, the BBC's Jonny Dymond on Lesbos reports.
Local authorities have been overwhelmed by the migrants who have been forced to live in squalid conditions, our correspondent adds. But on Monday night, about a dozen coastguards and riot police armed with batons struggled to control some 2,500 migrants surging towards one such ship, reported AFP news agency.
Local authorities have been overwhelmed by the migrants - mainly from Syria, say officials - who have been forced to live in squalid conditions, our correspondent adds.
Greek Migration Minister Yiannis Mouzalas warned that the island was "on the verge of explosion".Greek Migration Minister Yiannis Mouzalas warned that the island was "on the verge of explosion".
Most of migrants are from the war-torn Syria, officials say.
An estimated 340,000 asylum seekers have arrived in Europe so far this year, most braving dangerous sea journeys from North Africa and Turkey.An estimated 340,000 asylum seekers have arrived in Europe so far this year, most braving dangerous sea journeys from North Africa and Turkey.
Germany, where most migrants are headed and which expects 800,000 asylum requests this year, has said it wants other EU states to help shoulder the burden. But the crisis has divided the 28-nation bloc.Germany, where most migrants are headed and which expects 800,000 asylum requests this year, has said it wants other EU states to help shoulder the burden. But the crisis has divided the 28-nation bloc.
French President Francois Hollande said mandatory quotas were being drawn up to relocate 120,000 migrants across the EU, and that France would take 24,000.French President Francois Hollande said mandatory quotas were being drawn up to relocate 120,000 migrants across the EU, and that France would take 24,000.
Earlier, Mrs Merkel thanked volunteers who had welcomed those arriving over the weekend, saying they had "painted a picture of Germany which can make us proud of our country". Mrs Merkel has thanked volunteers who had welcomed those arriving over the weekend, saying they had "painted a picture of Germany which can make us proud of our country".
However, she said that although Germany was "a country willing to take people in", it was "time for the European Union to pull its weight".However, she said that although Germany was "a country willing to take people in", it was "time for the European Union to pull its weight".
Mrs Merkel is facing criticism at home over Germany's willingness to accept so many asylum seekers.Mrs Merkel is facing criticism at home over Germany's willingness to accept so many asylum seekers.
Hungary, along with the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania, has rejected the idea of official quotas.Hungary, along with the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania, has rejected the idea of official quotas.
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.