The flow of illegal immigrants from Turkey has fallen, but Libya has opened a southern front

Almost 800 illegal migrants were caught during the day off the southern coast Crete And Gavdos. While the flow from Turkey is declining, the southern route from Libya becomes more and more active.

Greek Coast Guard carried out a series of operations off the southern coast within 24 hours Crete And Gavdoswhere almost 800 illegal migrants. According to preliminary data, we are talking about at least 792 foreignerswho were on boats in the sea area south of the island.

Operations were coordinated Illustration (Ε.Κ.Σ.Ε.Δ., Unified coordination center for search and rescue). Vessels took part in them Greek Coast Guardaircraft, ship Frontexand in some cases – merchant ships passing nearby.

The rescued people were gradually transported to the ports Courts, Ierapetra, Kalon-Limenon, Agia Galini And Gavdos. Registration and identification procedures began there. For local port services, this is no longer an isolated incident, but a state of constant alarm.

Türkiye is declining, Libya is growing

This wave is especially significant against the backdrop of data about which Athens News wrote earlier: migration flows from Turkey to the islands of the eastern Aegean Sea decreased by 63%. At first glance this looks like a control success on the eastern route. But the problem has not disappeared – it has simply moved further south.

Route from Libya To Krita And Gavdos becomes more and more active. According to unofficial estimates, it may be cheaper for carriers and more convenient for organizing bulk shipmentsespecially in good weather. As a result Cretewhich was not previously perceived as the main migration front, is increasingly turning out to be the first line of reception.

This is what makes the situation especially unpleasant for Athens. Formally, one can report a decrease in flow from Turkey. But if at the same time pressure from the south increases, the result for the system of reception, registration and border protection remains difficult. The migration route, like water, simply seeks a place where the shore is weaker.

Crete at its limit

Current arrivals show that the southern direction requires a separate plan, and not beautiful reports of a general decline in flows. Almost 800 people per day – this is a burden not only on coast guardbut also to ports, municipalities, temporary accommodations, doctors and identification services.

While the state is talking about coordination with Libyatraining the Libyan Coast Guard and cooperation with Frontexthe reality off the coast of Crete looks simpler: boats continue to come, and local services are forced to work to the limit.

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