MojNews- Germany is prolonging controls along the country’s border with Austria by six months due to a high number of illegal entries, AP said, citing officials. The checks were meant to expire on November ۱۱.

The border between Austria and southern Germany was the main crossing point for hundreds of thousands of migrants who sought refuge in Europe in ۲۰۱۵ and ۲۰۱۶.

Both countries are part of Europe’s Schengen travel area that allows passport-free travel across much of the continent. Countries are allowed to reintroduce border controls only under exceptional circumstances.

Interior Ministry spokesman Steve Alter said on Wednesday that German border police recorded ۶,۷۴۹ illegal entries from Austria between January and the end of August, and turned back ۳,۷۹۲ people during that period.