(ANSA-AP) - MADRID, AUGUST 30 - Greek authorities and aid
groups say hundreds of people arrived on the eastern Aegean
island of Lesbos in more than a dozen boats in one afternoon, a
significant increase in the numbers of refugees and migrants
heading to Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast.
The coast guard on Friday confirmed 13 boats carrying a total
of 546 people arrived on Lesbos on Thursday afternoon, while
another 32 people in another boat were rescued at sea and
transported to Lesbos. A further 65 were rescued in two separate
incidents off the island of Kos and the northern mainland town
of Alexandroupolis.
Hundreds of people head to Greece from Turkey each week,
despite a European Union-Turkey deal restricting new arrivals to
the islands pending deportation or a successful asylum
application. (ANSA-AP).
© Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved