Heavily armed soldiers were set to be dispatched to defend the frontier Monday after Hungary's parliament voted in favour of a fresh crackdown on the thousands of migrants who have massed there trying to get into the EU, the Daily Express reported.

MPs have passed a new law allowing troops to use rubber bullets, flares, stun grenades and net guns against anyone who tries to break through the country's controversial barbed wire fence.

Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban spoke of the need for his country to protect itself and the rest of Europe from the "threat" of mass migration shortly before the bill was passed by parliament this morning.

His centre-right Fidesz had proposed the use of escalating force against migrants as central European countries struggle to cope with the overwhelming tide of people.

It was supported by the radical nationalist Jobbik party, which has advocated even tougher measures, meaning the bill passed with 151 votes to 12 against and 27 abstentions in the 199-member parliament.

Budapest, which has received 54,000 migrants this year alone, had made it a criminal offence to cross the border but insisted vigilant checks will still remain in place.

At least 20,000 migrants flooded into neighboring Austria this weekend as Europe's migrant crisis continued to spiral out of control.

Source: MENA