“It’s only for the screening and briefing of the Syrians“, Tsirigoti told reporters.
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After some minor disagreements among the many migrants over who would go first, they queued up on the quayside and boarded in teams of 20. Many of Kos locals have offered food, water and washing facilities.
An estimated 45,000 migrants have floated to Kos across the narrow strait from the Turkish coast this summer, overwhelming the island’s services and filling the roadsides and parks with makeshift tents. Along with migrants landing in Spain and Malta, 237,000 people have made the crossing so far this year, the agency says, compared to 219,000 for all of 2014.
The ferry, which can take up to 2,500 people, will also provide shelter for the migrants until they receive travel documents and are able to move on.
The Greek government’s decision to give priority to Syrian refugees triggered clashes on Saturday, as other migrants complained about preferential treatment in processing. Picture: Milos Bicanski/Getty Images.
William Spindler, of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said: “The pace of arrivals have been steadily increasing in recent weeks”.
The 2500 capacity Eleftherios Venizelosarrived last week on the orders of the Greek Minister of State Alekos Flambouraris.
To get to Europe, they depend on a vast illegal migrant smuggling operation that has grown over the past year as the Syrian civil war grinds on.
One of the families is now finally on board.
“We?re looking for a safe place where people will receive us as human beings”.
“Let’s be honest, let’s have a little courage and face the reality – they don?t have anything to lose, they can’t return back to Syria or Iraq so they will pass into Europe, they will find a way”, he says. Police also used batons and fire extinguishers on the crowd.
“They come over here just to claim free healthcare for when they need their stomachs pumped at 4 in the morning”.
Calling the migrant tragedies “a genocide against the Italian people”, Northern League leader Matteo Salvini on Sunday announced a three-day protest in September. Picture: Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images. The island has several thousand migrants camping out and staying in hotels, but tempers have flared as the numbers have swelled, worsening conditions and lengthening the wait for permission to leave. Despite the dire situation, those who arrive are optimistic.
European countries should support Greece on these efforts.
It’s not just Mediterranean countries affected either.
With the lights of the Greek island of Kos twinkling through the darkness – beacons of hope for a new and better life – another group of migrants has set off to make a risky – but less risky than most – sea crossing and apply for asylum in Europe.
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“We are not afraid”.
