Greek authorities saved 23 people near Lesbos as the number of migrants rises, showing a 35 percent increase since fall 2023.
- Greece expects 60,000 migrants this year due to regional conflicts.
- Rescue Operations Help 150 Migrants as New Route in Libya Appears
Greece is dealing with increasing migration issues as authorities saved 23 migrants from a small boat near Lesbos and found two more bodies from another incident off Gavdos, raising the weekend’s death count to seven.
Migration routes have grown, with officials noting a 35% rise in arrivals since fall 2023. Migration patterns are changing a lot, with more migrants trying the dangerous 300-kilometer trip from Libya to Crete and Gavdos.
Important Help Missions:
• 23 rescued close to Lesbos on Tuesday
• 39 saved from a sinking boat on Sunday
• Over 150 saved in three different operations
• Several people are still unaccounted for
Migration Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos says that the pressure on eastern Mediterranean routes is expected to continue until 2025, pointing to regional instability and the climate crisis as major reasons.
Migration Trends Today:
• 60,000 migrants are anticipated this year
• The biggest group is made up of Syrians
• Afghans and Egyptians followed
• New paths are opening up from Libya
“Three wars happening in our region, along with the climate crisis, are making many leave their homes just to survive,” Panagiotopoulos said in a recent parliament budget debate.
Effects of the Syrian Crisis:
• Asylum decisions on hold
• We are still accepting applications
• Waiting for a review of the situation
• Changes after Assad’s departure
The situation is still changing as Greek authorities keep working on rescue efforts and adjusting to new regional developments.
Greece is facing new challenges as many conflicts are causing people to move and change migration patterns, making its role as a main entry point to Europe more difficult.