Greece requires “urgent assistance” to deal with the massive refugee flow recorded during the first nine months of the year, according to the EU’s border agency Frontex.

The total number of migrants who crossed the EU’s external borders in the first nine months of this year rose to more than 710 000 with the Greek islands on the Aegean continuing to be the most affected by the unprecedented inflow of people, the agency said.

The Greek islands, especially Lesbos, continued to face a massive migratory pressure, with the number of detections in the January-September period reaching 350 000.

“Urgent assistance is needed, especially for Greece and Italy, to help register and identify the new arrivals. Earlier this month, I requested the EU countries to provide Frontex with additional border guards who can assist these two countries in dealing with such unprecedented flows”, Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Legger

“I do hope we receive adequate contributions which will show the true spirit of European solidarity,” he added.