Refugee flows into Greece rise

Island hotspots overflowing

The refugee and migrant flows to Greek islands of Lesvos, Chios, Kos, Leros and Samos and are steadily increasing, as the eastern Aegean island currently host over 12,100 people. According to official estimates, 462 refugees landed on the Greek islands in the past 24 hours. More specifically, 178 on Lesvos, 128 in Kos, 88 in Chios and 70 in Rhodes. Meanwhile, Greek authorities are concerned over the intransigent stance of Turkey on the matter, as it continues to threaten to scrap the deal with the EU on the control of the refugee flows into Europe if the EU does not lift the travel visa restrictions to Turkish nationals. The conditions are rapidly deteriorating, as Kathimerini reports, with the latest batch of refugees forced to stay at the port of Lesvos since the hotspots are overcrowded. There are 59,160 refugees and migrants in Greece, according to the authorities.