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Despite tougher migration policies, arrivals to the Greek island of Crete have soared by 310% this year, prompting officials to warn that the island’s overcrowded migrant facility is nearing collapse. State broadcaster ERT also reported on tensions and incidents at the camp on Saturday night.
In response, the government has taken drastic action: migrants arriving by sea are no longer eligible to apply for asylum, and those who refuse to leave when ordered risk imprisonment.
The number of people living in the camp has risen to around 1,000, after some 450 migrants arrived only a few days ago.
The Agia temporary facility near the city of Chania was designed for short-term stays but is now severely overcrowded. Conditions are dire: mattresses are crammed into every corner, there is no air conditioning, skin diseases are spreading, and tensions among the migrants are rising. Staff are overwhelmed, with officials warning that the situation could soon escalate further.
Greek media also reported on Sunday that Gavdos, the country’s southernmost island, saw 578 migrants in nine different boats arrive in less than 24 hours. Those migrants are also expected to be transferred to the Agia migrant camp.
Since July 11th, Greece has suspended asylum applications from migrants arriving by sea from North Africa. The temporary measure, valid for three months, has been reinforced by a new law criminalizing illegal residence. Anyone without valid papers who refuses to leave voluntarily faces a minimum of three years in prison, with no possibility of suspension or reduction of the sentence. A new directive from Migration Minister Thanos Plevris also allows detention of rejected asylum seekers for up to 24 months. The minister earlier this week pledged to build a closed migrant reception center on the island.
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), nearly 11,500 migrants from North Africa have reached the island between January and September 7.
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