R?SZKE, Sept 10 : Europe was increasingly divided over its refugee crisis on Thursday as record numbers of migrants streamed through the Balkans into Hungary, forcing Austria to suspend cross-border train services.
Germany warned that an EU plan to distribute 160,000 new arrivals among member states was a mere "drop in the ocean", but it faces stiff opposition from eastern members who say they will not accept binding quotas from Brussels.
Hungarian police said 3,321 people had entered in just 24 hours, hurrying to cross before harsh new anti-migrant laws take effect, an imposing new fence is completed, and the weather worsens.
Across the border in Serbia, state television reported that a record 5,000 people had arrived at the frontier.
Further south, on Macedonia's border with Greece, AFP journalists saw some 50 buses transporting around 2,500 migrants and three trains packed with 3,000 people departing from the town of Gevgelija.
The UN's refugee agency on Tuesday warned that at least 42,000 migrants were expected to enter Hungary by next week.
Many have endured treacherous sea journeys across the Mediterranean -- most fleeing war and poverty in Syria, Afghanistan or Pakistan and hoping to reach Germany.
Once inside Hungary, overstretched police have struggled to control and register new arrivals as they break through fences and try to board trains and buses heading for Austria.
Austria's train operator suspended services with Hungary on Thursday due to "massive overcrowding", calling on bus companies and volunteers to stop bringing migrants to stations.
EU interior ministers will meet Monday to discuss a plan unveiled by European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker to share out 160,000 refugees across the bloc and ease the burden on frontline states.     ?AFP