ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Authorities on the southern Greek island of Crete detained 76 migrants early Tuesday after they arrived on three boats, as smugglers sought new routes in the region to evade coast guard patrols.
The migrants, who came from Syria, Egypt, Sudan and Bangladesh, included six children and arrived before dawn on the tiny island of Gavdos, off the southern coast of Crete, local officials said. They are usually held for identification and processing, after which they can apply for asylum while they wait in refugee camps, with cases being considered on an individual basis.
Smugglers They usually target Greek islands close to the Turkish coast, but in recent months they have increasingly opted for longer routes to Crete and islands in the central Aegean, where the coastguard patrols are less strict.
The Greek government is considering setting up state-funded processing centres in Crete to help local authorities. Currently, migrants are being housed in sports facilities, abandoned buildings and schools during the summer months.
More than 28,000 migrants have arrived illegally in Greece this year, a share slightly lower than in Italy and Spain, according to data updated by the United Nations refugee agency. The share of migrants arriving illegally in Greece has fallen slightly so far this year after a post-pandemic peak in 2023, the UNHCR said.
Greece has been criticised by human rights groups over its treatment of migrants trying to reach its shores. In June, it denied a BBC report who accused its coast guard of brutal practices that have led to dozens of deaths. ___ Follow AP’s reporting on:
