EU ministers to meet as tensions rise over migration

EU interior ministers ministers will meet in Brussels later amid warnings the refugee crisis could threaten the bloc's survival.

Austria and Balkan nations have agreed measures to restrict numbers, drawing criticism from Greece, where thousands have been left stranded after Macedonia blocked entry to Afghans.

Meanwhile Hungary has announced a referendum on whether to accept mandatory quotas of asylum seekers.

More than 100,000 refugees have reached Europe so far this year.

In Brussels, EU interior ministers will hear plans drawn up by Austria and eight Balkan countries that include fingerprinting all entrants and turning back anyone without a passport or holding fake documents.

The countries have also pledged to accept only those they deem to be in need of protection, which has already been interpreted by some governments as meaning only Syrians and Iraqis.