Two Syrian refugees found dead in Croatian forest
Two Syrian refugees found dead in Croatian forest
Two Syrian refugees were found dead in a forest in Croatia, after entering the country from Bosnia.
2 min read
Croatia is the main entry point for refugees into the EU from the Balkans (Getty)
Two refugees thought to have entered into EU member Croatia from neighbouring Bosnia were found dead Sunday in a forest some 90 kilometres (55 miles) from the border, Croatian police said.
"Twelve people were found of whom two were dead," police spokeswoman Senka Staroveski told reporters, adding that they were found early Sunday in a wood near the town of Dreznica.
According to the internet site of the daily Jutarnji List, the two men died as they slept on Saturday night when they were hit by a rock that broke off a steep slope.
Documents found at the scene indicated that they were both Syrians, aged 24, the report added.
The police did not provide further details, saying only that an investigation was under way.
Bosnian authorities estimate that some 4,000 migrants and refugees are currently in Bosnia, mainly in the towns of Bihac and Velika Kladusa, both near the Croatian border, hoping to enter the European Union along the so-called "Balkans Route".
Many have been camping out in parks or abandoned buildings, while the Red Cross and local volunteers have been providing meals and other basic services.
They are among more than 10,000 migrants who have entered the poor Balkan country since January, according to the latest government figures.
According to a tally by the humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders, more than 80 migrants have died - mainly by drowning, freezing to death or in road accidents - since the start of the year along the Balkans Route originating in Turkey.
Anger has been mounting in Bihac over the government's poor management of the influx.
On Friday, the EU said it would give Bosnia six million euros ($6.85 million) to cope with the new arrivals. The aid comes on top of 1.5 million euros already granted in June.
"Twelve people were found of whom two were dead," police spokeswoman Senka Staroveski told reporters, adding that they were found early Sunday in a wood near the town of Dreznica.
According to the internet site of the daily Jutarnji List, the two men died as they slept on Saturday night when they were hit by a rock that broke off a steep slope.
Documents found at the scene indicated that they were both Syrians, aged 24, the report added.
The police did not provide further details, saying only that an investigation was under way.
Bosnian authorities estimate that some 4,000 migrants and refugees are currently in Bosnia, mainly in the towns of Bihac and Velika Kladusa, both near the Croatian border, hoping to enter the European Union along the so-called "Balkans Route".
Many have been camping out in parks or abandoned buildings, while the Red Cross and local volunteers have been providing meals and other basic services.
They are among more than 10,000 migrants who have entered the poor Balkan country since January, according to the latest government figures.
According to a tally by the humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders, more than 80 migrants have died - mainly by drowning, freezing to death or in road accidents - since the start of the year along the Balkans Route originating in Turkey.
Anger has been mounting in Bihac over the government's poor management of the influx.
On Friday, the EU said it would give Bosnia six million euros ($6.85 million) to cope with the new arrivals. The aid comes on top of 1.5 million euros already granted in June.
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