Granița disperării: Cine erau românii care încercau să fugă în Ungaria în ultimii ani ai comunismului

Recent data from CNSAS reveals a significant increase in attempts to leave Romania for Hungary during the late communist regime. Between 1987 and 1989, many Romanians resorted to illegal border crossings or chose not to return from trips. In 1987, 219 individuals crossed the border illegally, while 594 were caught. By 1988, over 6,500 people decided to stay in Hungary after trips. The situation worsened in 1989, with over 5,400 caught attempting illegal crossings in just eight months. The majority of those attempting to leave were young men, with skilled workers being the most common profession among those caught. Ethnic composition varied, with many ethnic Hungarians among those who left legally. The data highlights the growing discontent among Romanians under the regime, as many were willing to risk their freedom for a better life.