More migrants picked up near Gavdos

08:03 18/5/2024 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

Greek Coast guard have rescued 51 migrants in the latest landing of refugees on the tiny Greek island of Gavdos.

The migrants, who were rescued after notifying local authorities with a distress call, were rescued with the help of a Liberian-flagged tanker in the region. No injuries were reported.

All have since then been transferred to refugee camps to be documented.

The rescue is the latest of a rising trend of migrant landings on Gavdos.

On Europe’s southernmost point, Gavdos and Crete, have become a new focal point for migrants, mainly from Egypt, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

The number of arrivals thas surged, with more than 1,180 migrants reaching the islands since the beginning of the year, a significant jump from the previous year.

The local infrastructure of Gavdos, which lacks dedicated migrant facilities, is under strain due to the influx. Authorities are calling for additional support to address the immediate needs of the migrants before they can be relocated to larger facilities in Crete.

This shift in migration patterns highlights the evolving challenges faced by the European Union in managing new migration routes, as increased patrols in traditional paths push smugglers to seek alternative routes, including the dangerous crossing from Libya to southern Crete.

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