The illegal crossing into Greek territory by migrants is exacerbating, especially at the country’s maritime borders where migrant arrivals are daily and even much higher than in previous years. It is indicative that the Coast Guard and the Greek Police arrested a total of 5,700 illegal immigrants on the Aegean islands. Similarly, as “THEMA” is in a position to know, the deterrence of migrants at sea in August alone involved 4,500 people!

In the summer, arrests and rescues have increased by 150% compared to last year. A total of over 3,200 illegal immigrants were arrested between June 1 and August 25, compared to just 1,364 last year

As a result, migration has once again come to the fore among Greek society on the Aegean islands and Evros, since the rapid increase in flows in recent months has brought changes in the daily life of citizens in these areas. The situation that has developed is described in dramatic terms by those on the ground. On the one hand, the Coast Guard literally has no time to rescue people in the North and East Aegean, while on the Evros border, as a result of the increase in illegal immigrants crossing into Greek territory, the self-styled sheriffs are on the prowl, attempting to replace the Greek police, ‘arresting’ themselves anyone they find wandering in the countryside.

A new rescue of migrants was carried out by the Coast Guard in the early hours of Tuesday morning in a sea area of Chios. More specifically, the Coast Guard located and rescued 33 migrants on board an inflatable boat in the sea area of Agia Ermioni, east of Chios after a chase. Once the operators of the inflatable boat were alerted to the presence of the Coast Guard vessels in the area began to make dangerous maneuvers in order to escape. In the early morning hours today, members of the Hellenic Coast Guard detected and rescued 29 foreigners in the sea area of Lamna Mitimna, Lesvos.

Also on Tuesday morning, a Coast Guard patrol boat, which was on a scheduled patrol, spotted a runaway wind-powered dinghy in the Agrielia sea area of Lesvos. The crew of the patrol boat immediately rescued 48 foreigners and transported them safely to the port of Mytilene.