Sweden to expel up to 80,000 failed asylum seekers

Sweden is planning to expel up to 80,000 failed asylum seekers, the country's Interior Minister has announced.

Last year, Sweden took in more than 160,000 asylum seekers, among the highest figures per capita within Europe.

But those whose applications were rejected now face being kicked out, Anders Ygeman said, most likely over a period of several years.

"We are talking about 60,000 people but the number could climb to 80,000," the minister was quoted as saying by Swedish media.

He said the Government had asked the police and authorities in charge of migrants to organise their expulsion.

Earlier this week, a young female worker at a youth asylum centre in Sweden was stabbed to death.