Hungary to build second border fence to stop refugees

Hungary is planning to build a second fence on its southern border with Serbia to keep out any major new wave of refugees, Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced.

A 500km barrier - a razor-wire fence - was built in 2015 along Hungary's border with Serbia and Croatia after the country witnessed an increase of refugees moving up from the Balkans towards northern Europe.

Stricter border patrols and the makeshift wall have led to a significant decrease in the number of refugees reaching Hungary. 

In 2015 around 400,000 migrants crossed Hungary on their way to western and northern Europe, but less than 18,000 have entered in 2016, according to official data.

"Technical planning is under way to erect a massive defence system next to the existing line of defence which was built quickly [last year]," Orban said in an interview with Hungarian public radio before adding that police presence would also be boosted to 47,000 from 44,000.

Turkey and the EU are currently working together to minimise the number of refugees travelling from Turkey through the Balkans to reach Europe.

Recent tensions between the EU and Turkey have led to this deal being called into question by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

If the deal breaks down, Hungary might see an increase in refugees reaching its borders, which has prompted the plans for this second border fence.