Thirty East Germans have sought political asylum in the West German Embassy since early July, and scores have been caught in attempts to flee to the West, Hungarian state radio reported.
Since barriers were dismantled at the Hungarian-Austrian border in early May, 10 times as many would-be escapees have been caught than in the whole of last year, a spokesman for the Hungarian border guards told the radio.The Hungarian radio's English-language program on Monday did not give any figures, however.
Hungarian authorities began dismantling border fortifications after Communist Party officials described them as technically and politically outdated.
Hungarians have been allowed to travel freely to the West since early 1988. The Hungarian broadcast quoted Walter Piesnitz, Bonn's state secretary for domestic affairs, as calling on East Germans not to try to flee to the West via Hungary and not to seek asylum at West German embassies.
Over the past weekend, 37 East Germans escaped across the border, Austrian police said Monday. Since border fences were removed, a total of 152 East Germans have reported to Austrian authorities.