A total number of 2,231 migrants arrived in Greece from Turkey irregularly in March, down around 42 percent compared to the previous month, authorities said in a statement published on April 8. The overall decrease, when compared to September 2023, exceeded 80 percent.

The figure does not include arrivals from eastern Libya, the migration ministry pointed out in their statement. These arrivals amounted to 333 in March, down from 528 in February.

Overall sea and land arrival figures by the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR confirm this downward trend. In March UNHCR recorded 2,568 arrivals by land and sea, compared to 4,282 in February. In September 2023, 11,650 arrivals were recorded, marking an overall decrease of slightly less than 80 percent (roughly 78 percent) between September and March.

At the same time, the latest data from the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum suggested that the decongestion of Greece's national system of identification, registration and accommodation for asylum seekers continued in March.

The total number of resident third-country nationals in the 33 centers throughout Greece decreased to 23,245 in March from 27,554 in February, by 15.6 percent.

Compared to January, when the number of residents reached 31,367 people, the decrease reached 25.9%, according to ministry figures.

The decrease is continuing at an accelerated rate in April

Specifically, the number of residents in facilities on the Eastern Aegean islands decreased even further last month, by 40.9%, compared to January 2024. In January, there were 15,767 residents on the islands, whereas in March, the number dwindled to just 9,321. Authorities have noted that this decline is continuing at an accelerated rate in April.

A statement from the ministry said: "It is noted that almost all of those who receive asylum, subsequently apply and obtain documents to travel, while those whose asylum applications are rejected join the process of returning to their country of origin. Decongestion is important because it increases the reserves of the national system to deal with a potential increase in immigration pressure in the future."

The ministry also stressed that the latest numbers are not due to some seasonal phenomenon, although the government should not rest on its laurels.

"The March figures are not seasonal, as it has been observed that, unlike in the past, traffickers are taking advantage of bad weather to increase migration pressure," said the statement.

"We would like to emphasize, however, that the constant burden on the international environment, especially around Greece, from Ukraine and the Middle East, does not allow for any complacency. After all, immigration pressure is currently particularly high in Cyprus from Lebanon, in Italy from North Africa and in the Canary Islands of Spain from West Africa.

"As one of its main missions, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum aims for the effective management of flows of asylum seekers, with security paramount for both those fleeing their countries for whatever reason, and for Greek society, utilizing European financial aid," added the statement.

Also read: Greek island camps over capacity after hundreds of migrants rescued

Three dead in latest shipwreck

Despite the reduction in flows of asylum seekers and migrants trying to reach Greece, yet another tragedy was reported near the island of Chios in the Aegean on Wednesday, April 10. Three children, aged 4, 7 and 10 were confirmed dead by Greek authorities, with 19 people rescued from a stranded inflatable boat that reportedly set out from Turkey.

The Greek Coast Guard and Fire Service have been carrying out a search and rescue operation since the early hours of the morning from an inaccessible rocky area northeast of the island. Investigations into the cause of the shipwreck are ongoing.

Local media reports indicate that the migrants were stranded in the area for a period ranging from two to three days. Among those rescued, a mother and her two children have been hospitalized.

Also read: Over 1,000 migrants have reached a tiny Greek island in recent months

Route via Crete remains a hot spot

In related developments, despite the decrease outlined by the latest government figures following tighter security measures and more patrols in the Aegean, a spike in traffickers' attempts to make the longer and more dangerous journey from Libya to Italy, via Crete, has been reported.

This has led to a sharp increase in incidents involving stricken vessels.

Government estimates suggest that in the last three months, about 1,500 people have arrived by sea from Egypt to Gavdos island, located south of Crete. The majority of these migrants are reportedly Egyptian men, although a small percentage say they are citizens of Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Also read: Greece: Government pledges financial support for islands of Gavdos and Crete

Last month, Greece sought support from the European Commission to broker a new deal with Egypt concerning the repatriation of irregular migrants from the African nation following the recent spike in flows of Egyptian nationals trying to enter the country through Crete.

At the same time, before any deal can be made, local media observers have been at pains to point out the lack of infrastructure to deal with and host migrants temporarily on Crete.

NGOs including Refugee Support in the Aegean (RSA) and Social Shelter -- Immigrant Shelter of Chania have voiced concern over the lack of reception and identification infrastructures on Crete. At the same time, they have denounced the lack of opportunities to file an asylum request.

Also read: EU pledges €7.4 billion in aid to Egypt as it seeks to curb migration