VIENNA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Austria will close the Brenner Pass crossing on its south-western border should the influx of refugees crossing via Italy happen again, an official told the national broadcaster ORF on Friday.
Governor for the state of Tyrol Guenther Platter said should Italy "wave refugees through, as has been the case once before", border controls can be implemented "at the push of a button".
He acknowledged that this would mean "chaos" for regular traffic.
ORF reported the Federal Criminal Police Office as saying illegal border crossings from Italy have increased again recently, with between 30 and 100 illegal migrants picked up by authorities in Austria each day.
This time the migrants crossing the shared border with Italy are predominantly from African countries, not Syrian as was the case before, it was further noted.
The situation in Tyrol is however presently under control with 80 police on patrol at the border region, Platter said.
He had also met with Italian foreign minister Angelino Alfano in Rome on Thursday, where he said he had given assurances that Austria would not leave Italy in a bad situation.
