Izmir on the western Turkish coast has become a “hub of migrants watning to illegally cross into Greece,” report Hurriyet daily newspaper and the BBC. To this end, there are shops in the neighborhood of Basmane selling supplies for refugees from Iraq, Somalia and Syria interested in crossing over to Greece. Hurriyet reports taht some 5,789 illegal migrants have been caught by the Turkish coast guard in 2014. 38 people were detained for smuggling refugees to Greek islands.

Everyday Greek coast guards rescue undocumented migrants. Oftentimes their journey is fatal.

Shops in Izmir trading to illegal immigrants sell them life vests and other equipment prior to their attempt to cross to Europe via Greece in what is apparently a lucrative business.