11 Aug 2015

Hungary builds 100 mile fence to keep out immigrants

Hungary has built a 100 mile long razor wire fence to keep out migrants. The central European country built the fence along their Serbian border after reporting a sharp rise in new arrivals.

The government has said that more than 1,500 illegal migrants are trying to enter the country each day. Since the Hungarians began building the fence on June 17 they estimate over 50,000 migrants have crossed into the country.

The razor wire structure, built by local prisoners, has already cost an estimated £70m. Prime Minister Victor Oban said that the barrier is an attempt to protect both the Hungarian and European identity.

Migrants are now reportedly racing across the Balkans in an attempt to enter the country before the structure is fully in place. The barrier was originally planned for completion by November, but increasing numbers of migrants have pushed forward the deadline to the end of August – which means Hungarians will have to build 6km of fencing a day.

More from Hungary: On the streets with Hungary's far-right

The main attraction of Hungary to most asylum seekers is that it belongs to the Schengen zone of border-free countries at the core of the EU.

Once in Hungary there are no more border controls to reach Western Europe, with the exception of Britain and Ireland.

Once in Hungary there are no more border controls to reach Western Europe, with the exception of Britain and Ireland.

It comes as Britain and France are calling on the UN to resolve the growing migrant crisis in Calais.

Thousands of migrants are living in makeshift camps in the French town waiting to make dangerous attempts to enter Britain via the Channel Tunnel.

David Cameron has so far sent 1.2 miles of fencing to create a new secure zone in Calais.

The fencing which was originally used at the Nato summit in Newport and the 2012 Olympics has been dubbed the “ring of steel” and is being used to secure the platforms of the Eurotunnel at Coquelles.

Theresa May has pledged a further £7 million for more fencing and security measures.