Five Greek islands in the eastern Aegean are bearing the brunt of the migration wave, according to data made public by the port authorities.

Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Leros and Kos are the islands that have experienced the greatest influx of refugees and irregular immigrants / illegal migrants, as the Greek coast guard has recorded a …750% rise in arrivals of third country nationals on Lesvos the first eight months of 2015 (94,000), compared to a total of  11,000 in the whole of 2014!

Chios fared a little better as it had an increase of 348% in 2015 with 29,000 landing on the island, in comparison to the 6,453 people who came in 2014! Samos, including Agathonisi, received 25,596 immigrants and refugees in 2015, compared to only 2,590 in 2014, a rise of 244%. Kos was by far the island that was most affected by the crisis, as it saw a staggering 1,983% rise of 3rd country national landing on its shores, with nearly 28,000 arrivals in 2015, compared to only 1,344 in 2014!