"Although it is an enormous relief to be safe, I had to leave a country that welcomed me, where I could study," one student said.Continue reading
Fully 5,824 people crossed into Hungary directly from Ukraine on Thursday, while another 6,411 who crossed from Romania said they had come from Ukraine, the national police headquarters said.
Police issued temporary residence permits valid for 30 days to 1,848 people, the police website said on Friday. Holders of such permits must contact a local immigration office near their place of residence within 30 days to apply for permanent documents, it added.
Budapest police received 1,392 refugees, 582 children among them, on Thursday, according to the Budapest police website.
Refugees arriving on special train services at Kőbánya felső railway station, in eastern Budapest, were taken by bus to the BOK sports and events centre serving as a humanitarian transit point.
The authorities transported 78 people, including 47 children, to accommodation in the capital and outlying areas.
The police have contracted 31 Ukrainian interpreters, and they are working closely with staff of the disaster management authority, the immigration office, the Budapest metropolitan council, as well as numerous aid groups, the statement said.
Featured photo by Attila Balázs/MTI