Hungarian authorities intercepted 18,757 refugees over the weekend while they were attempting to cross the border illegally, police reported on Monday.
Majority of the refugees entered the country from Croatia and were then taken by Hungarian authorities to near the Austrian border, from where they continued to Austria, EFE news reported.
Austrian authorities estimate that about 22,000 refugees arrived in their territory during the weekend.
It is expected that the Hungarian parliament will approve a law authorising the army to be mobilised to defend the border and support the work of the police.