Athens:In a recent series of events on Saturday, Greek authorities undertook the rescue of nearly 60 migrants who were attempting to cross the Aegean Sea from Turkey to the nearby eastern Aegean Sea islands using inflatable dinghies, as reported by the coast guard.
The frequency of these arrivals has witnessed a noticeable surge in the past few weeks, with the migrants often employing small, unseaworthy boats provided by human smugglers.
In accordance with a statement from the coast guard, an inflatable dinghy carrying 41 individuals was discovered adrift early on Saturday by a patrol boat near the island of Lesbos. The coast guard effectively evacuated all occupants of the dinghy and subsequently transported them to a reception center on the island.
Also Read: Katrina Kaif's Barbie: A Cultural Icon in 'I Can Be' Series
Another incident occurred on the same day when a coast guard patrol boat intercepted another dinghy, this one carrying 17 individuals, after a pursuit near the eastern Aegean islets of Arkii. In this case, one of the migrants was apprehended under suspicion of being part of a smuggling operation. The remaining migrants were safely transported to the island of Patmos.
The recent surge in arrivals has been largely attributed by Greek officials to ongoing conflicts in various African regions. These conflicts are straining the primary smuggling routes into Europe. Moreover, the situation is compounded by the growing presence of a black market industry in Turkey that manufactures subpar inflatable boats for migrants. Additionally, the favorable sailing conditions of this summer have also contributed to the increased numbers attempting the sea crossing.
Also Read: UN condemns the deadly Russian attack on the heart of Ukraine
The Greek government has officially stated that there have been no changes in the policy of intercepting boats at sea, which had previously led to a significant reduction in migrant arrivals in the past years.
However, human rights organizations have raised concerns over Greece's alleged practice of summarily deporting those who manage to reach Greek soil back to Turkey. These accusations of illegal deportations have been contested by Athens. The tension around this issue remains unresolved and is part of a broader dialogue on the treatment of migrants and refugees.
As the Mediterranean continues to be a pivotal route for migrants and asylum seekers seeking refuge in Europe, incidents like these underscore the complexities of managing migration flows and the challenges faced by both authorities and migrants themselves.
