Athens: On Thursday, 145 migrants who were stuck on an island in the Evros River, which marks the border with Turkey and is a common route for people fleeing war and poverty to reach Europe, were rescued by Greek authorities.

The migrants, which included 45 women and 30 children, "are in good condition," according to a unit of the Greek Red Cross present at the operation, the Greek news agency ANA reported.

According to a Greek police statement, the unidentified migrants were left on the island by traffickers travelling from Turkey.

Also Read: Anthony Albanese: No threat from Russian diplomat squatting on proposed embassy site

According to Panayiotis Harelas, head of the Greek border guard federation, "smugglers have pushed migrants towards Greek territory before."
Ankara is frequently charged by Athens with permitting illegal immigration into Greece.

Also Read: Prior to the election, Cambodia changes the law to prevent future candidates from being non-voters

91 people were saved by Greek authorities in the same region in June, many of whom were Yazidis, a minority group speaking Kurdish who are primarily found in Iraq.

In recent years, thousands of migrants, mostly from Syria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, have crossed into Greece from Turkey's land and maritime borders.
Greece has increased patrols in the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey in accordance with a strict migration policy, assisted by Frontex, the European Border Surveillance Agency.

Also Read: Beijing raises its heat warning as north China swelters

The outgoing conservative government, which is expected to win the June 25 election, has pledged to extend a metal fence that is currently built 38 kilometres (24 miles) along the Evros river. The fence is 15 feet (five metres) high.

Tragedies involving migrants persist in the eastern Mediterranean despite the security crackdown.

On June 14, a decaying boat off Pylos in the Peloponnese capsized and sank, killing 82 people and leaving "hundreds" missing, according to some of the 104 survivors.