In a report by Reuters, it has been highlighted that the Greek islands of Crete and Gavdos are experiencing a significant increase in migrant boats arriving from Libya this year, as per data from the United Nations. This influx is putting immense pressure on already ill-equipped authorities and sparking concerns about the emergence of a new smuggling route in the Mediterranean Sea.
The numbers show that over 1,075 migrants, primarily hailing from Egypt, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, have landed on these islands so far this year, a sharp rise from the 860 arrivals in all of 2023, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR.
Greece has long been a key entry point to the European Union for migrants and refugees from various regions like the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, especially since 2015 when nearly a million people arrived on its shores, leading to a massive humanitarian crisis with many perishing at sea.
Up until now, Crete and the nearby secluded island of Gavdos were not as popular among migrants compared to other islands closer to Turkey. This recent surge in arrivals has caught authorities off guard.
Migration Minister Dimitri Kairidis expressed his concerns on a local TV station, stating, “This is an unprecedented situation. The numbers may be small at the moment, but the trend is worrisome.”
Gavdos Mayor Lilian Stefanaki reported that boats carrying dozens of people have been arriving almost daily since the weekend, with around 63 migrants currently on the island awaiting transportation to Crete. Gavdos, with only about 60 permanent residents and one police officer, is ill-prepared to handle this influx.
Both Gavdos and Crete lack migrant facilities, leading new arrivals to seek shelter in abandoned structures on Gavdos or unused children’s camps on Crete. The UNHCR, albeit not having a presence on Crete, has sent supplies such as sleeping bags and hygiene kits to assist.
Stefanaki highlighted the challenges faced, stating, “This is a major burden for us. We are a small island with limited resources. Food scarcity is a significant issue, and our finances are stretched thin.”
Recent data shows that most migrant arrivals in Europe this year have been in Spain, followed by Greece and Italy. Traditionally, migrant boats departing from Libya have headed towards Italy, making this shift towards Greece noteworthy.
UNHCR Greece spokesperson Stella Nanou remarked, “It appears that these boats from Libya heading to Crete and Gavdos are intentionally making their way to Greece, rather than straying off course accidentally. It is yet to be seen whether this will become a regular route.”
(Reporting by Karolina Tagaris; Editing by Edward McAllister and Lucy Marks)
