Living conditions on Greek islands have reached a 'critical point' according to the mayors of the five islands worst hit by the ongoing migrant crisis. The problem is exacerbated by low numbers of migrant returns to Turkey, they say.
The mayors of Samos, Lesvos, Chios, Kos and Leros told a special assembly held by the Public Administration, Public Order and Justice that living conditions for refugees are at a "critical point". Due to the increased flows of people trying to get to Greece on boats from Turkey, squalid living conditions are failing on human rights levels. This is particularly the case for the Moria camp on Lesvos.
"Living conditions on Moria are close to stretching the limits of basic human rights," said Greek Migration Minister Ioannis Mouzalas. The situation in camps on Lesvos and Chios has caused outrage among human rights groups. Several organizations have issued warnings about the worsening winter weather with hundreds of people sleeping outside without even tents for coverage.
Minister, returns to Turkey are insufficient
Mouzalas said the problem was exacerbated by the low numbers of returns of migrants to Turkey from Greece. Only 1,360 people returned since the deal was activated in March 2016. "The Turkey-EU agreement remains valid; although we would like to see more returns because that will restore the order of things. Things need to move faster, our problem is that we are the only country that has four levels of examination of asylum applications, so it takes time," Mouzalas said.
New shipwrecks, more victims
At least three migrants died on Friday and several other people were missing after a wooden boat carrying 24 migrants sank near the Greek islet of Kalolimnos early on Friday morning. The Greek Coast Guard said ten men, four women and one 10-year-old child were rescued from the stricken vessel. According to local port authority reports on the nearby island of Kalymnos, there were 24 people traveling on the boat from Turkey. A search-and-rescue operation for the missing migrants has been launched including a coast guard vessel, a helicopter, a Frontex vessel and two tourist vessels, as well as a cargo ship.
Those who were rescued have been transferred to the port of Kalymnos, where the island's "Immigrant and Refugee Support Group" is providing warm clothes, beverages, food and emergency medical treatment. Meanwhile, another 127 immigrants arrived on Chios in two separate boats in the early hours of Friday. A Frontex patrol vessel spotted 65 people in an inflatable raft near the coastal area of Agia Eleni, while a second Frontex ship found another crowded boat carrying 62 refugees. In both cases, the refugees were transferred to the port of Chios.