Greece's government says migrant arrivals have increased by up
to 35% since fall 2023. While most travel the short distance
between the Turkish mainland and nearby Greek islands, a larger
number now make the perilous 300-kilometer (200-mile) journey
from the Libyan coast to the islands of Crete and Gavdos,
officials said.
On Sunday, some 39 migrants were rescued from the sinking vessel
while three other rescue operations saved more than 150 others.
Dozens remain missing, based on survivors' accounts, the coast
guard said.
Migration Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said pressure on
eastern Mediterranean migration routes was likely to continue
through 2025.
The extensive geopolitical unrest in our broader region where
three wars are raging, the most recent in Syria combined with
the climate crisis, is forcing many to abandon their homes
simply to survive, Panagiotopoulos said, speaking in parliament
during a budget debate that ended late Sunday.
All these factors are leading to a significant increase in
migration and refugee flows since late 2023, he said.
The number of migrants traveling illegally to Greece is expected
to top 60,000 this year, with Syrians making up the largest
number, followed by Afghans, Egyptians, Eritreans and
Palestinians, according to government data.
Following the fall of Syrian leader Bashar Assad this month,
Greece has temporarily suspended issuing final asylum decisions
for Syrian applicants as the main basis for their claims
persecution by the Assad regime may no longer apply. The
asylum service is still accepting applications, but decisions
are on hold pending a reassessment of conditions in Syria,
according to government officials.
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