The vast majority of migrants reach Greece’s eastern Aegean islands a few miles from the Turkish coast. A coast guard official told DPA news agency that the good weather was a likely reason behind the increase, with the trip from the nearby Turkish coast to the islands being typically a risky one.
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Although the European Union and Turkey signed a deal in March in order to reduce the flow of migrants into Europe, concerns are rising that the decrease in arrivals will not stay that way.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) Greek authorities have returned to neighboring Turkey 14 migrants over the past two days, bringing to almost 500 the total of people sent back under this year’s deal between the European Union and Turkey. It was not immediately clear from where they had set sail or where they were headed.
At least three people have died on Thursday morning during the sinking of a wooden boat full with migrants as they tried to reach the Italian coasts.
The charity also pointed out that closed camps and limited movement to the mainland mean that the facilities on the islands of Lesvos, Chios and Samos are incredibly crowded.
Greece is reported to be planning new shelters, to help ease increasing pressure on overcrowded migrant camps.
More than 10,700 people are packed into existing facilities on five Greek islands – far exceeding capacity – as they wait to find out whether they can stay in Europe.
Last year, Greece was the main point of entry into the EU for hundreds of thousands of people seeking better lives in northern and central European countries.
Save the Children said that the average number of refugees and migrants arriving daily in Greece is at its highest since May and that this is “causing serious congestion in the camps on the islands and putting children at risk”.
With the Balkan route closed, increasing numbers of migrants have turned to more risky routes. The coast guard said all were in good health.
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