Dutch mayors have sharply criticized Germany’s ongoing border controls after a fatal multi-vehicle crash, warning that the measures are causing accidents, economic losses and could break European law, Anadolu reports.

A 66-year-old man was killed on Saturday when seven vehicles collided near Babberich in the Netherlands’ Gelderland province, with overcrowding at German checkpoints widely cited as a factor. contributor. The accident has reignited the debate over controls introduced by Berlin in 2024 to curb irregular immigration, Dutch daily Trouw reported on Sunday.

Nijmegen mayor Hubert Bruls called the accidents “extremely tragic”, saying they make ongoing checks “even more bitter”. He urged Germany to stop what he described as an “almost permanent” measure.

“I had a lot of understanding” when the controls were introduced, Bruls said, citing high refugee flows and public concern at the time. “But more than a year and a half later, the situation is very different,” he said.

“The question that must be raised now is whether this is still in line with European law,” he said, adding that legal experts doubt its validity.

The mayor of Doetinchem, Mark Boumans, also expressed disappointment, saying he was “deeply disappointed” that Germany had failed to find a solution that limit migration “without extremely harmful side effects”.

Border municipalities report increased disruptions, including traffic jams, accidents and increased “interruptive” traffic through local villages. The Netherlands’ Transport and Logistics estimates that delays affecting goods have already caused losses running into millions of euros.

Despite mounting criticism, Germany has signaled it will maintain controls, with the next review expected in September. Authorities argue the policy is effective, citing police data showing 3,476 people detained for illegal entry between September 2024 and March 2026, with 1,730 denied entry and 157 suspected smugglers arrested.

Bruls questioned the effectiveness of fixed checkpoints, suggesting mobile patrols further inland would be “more effective, smarter and less disturbing”. As chairman of the Euregio Rhine-Waal network, he said he would press to increase the pressure on Berlin.

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Source: prizrenpost