Hundreds of third country nationals continued, on a daily basis, to land or reach close enough to several of Greece’s eastern Aegean islands in order to attract the attention of the coast guard and be escorted to Greek territory.

Practically all of the third country nationals, of various Mideast, North African and other nationalities, are ferried toward Greek territorial waters and land after disembarking with various types of vessels from Turkey.

Some claim political asylum, others are described as refugees, while others, who are actually from Egypt and Pakistan, for instance, simply want to sneak into Greece on their (clandestine) way to a western Europe mostly unwelcoming to people trying to sneak past borders for the purpose of permanent settlement…

“Proto Thema” focused on the situation on a handful of islands that have attracted most of the third country nationals that entered the country illegally — people alternatively described as migrants, illegal migrants, immigrants, refugees, irregular migrants, undocumented migrants, asylum seekers etc.

Hania

The latest boatload of people sailing for the large island of Crete was located last Tuesday south of the island. The vessel’s pilot issued a distress call and a rescue operation was soon underway.

Two-hundred and one people on board were rescued. The individuals claimed they hailed from Syria, Egypt, Sudan and the Palestinian territories.

“This is the third time in the recent period that we’re faced with such a situation, and I can say that for the moment there’s a coordination of actions by the municipality,” Hania deputy mayor Manolis Frangakis said, adding:

“This is Greece today; a mayor personally handling the tragedy of thousands of people and a state that closes its eyes and ears in the face of such a crucial issue…”

Lesvos

In contrast to the city of Hania on Crete, Mytilene, the capital of Lesvos, is increasingly fragile.

“Our problem exceeds our efforts and is now unmanageable,” deputy mayor Anastasia Antoneli said.

“Five to six hundred people are arriving on the island every day, with the image we’re conveying to tourists resembling that of a Third World country,” she said.

Antoneli said 2,000 people are already being hosted in an outdoor driving course facility.

“However, the only thing we’re receiving from the central government is promises upon promises,” she added.

Leros

The same situation exists on the much smaller island of Leros, south of Lesvos and even closer to a Turkish coast teaming from Third World nationals waiting for a chance to make it to any EU territory — with more than enough assistance from local migrant smugglers.

“The situation has reached a breaking point,” deputy major Yiannis Konstantinidis said, adding:

“The situation is going from bad to worse and the state’s officials are forcing us, with their indifference, to become racists, even though we don’t want to. Leros’ image today is not of an island waiting to live from tourism. It’s not possible to present an image of wretched people sleeping on the roadsides and on park benches. Tourists are taking pictures any more of the island’s sights but of the migrants, like they’re one of the sights of modern Greece.”

Kos

More Third World images are plainly evident on the well-known holiday island of Kos.

However, the situation has been improved in recent days due to coordinated efforts by the municipality, city councillor Vasso Pi told Proto Thema.

“What we lived through in the recent period can’t be described with words, and I hope we don’t have to relive it. Devastated people sleeping on the roadside and begging for help. The state, and specifically the migration policy ministry, has taken the initiative and housed them in the Captain Ilias (hotel), but all of the promises for health care have fallen by the wayside. Thankfully, there’s a unit from the Doctors Without Borders, whose members are doing what is humanly possible.”