Greece suspends asylum applications as migrant arrivals surge
- Authorities in Greece report over 1,200 migrants detained on Crete and Gavdos due to a surge in arrivals from Libya.
- The Greek government has decided to temporarily suspend asylum applications for new arrivals by sea from North Africa.
- In response to the migrant crisis, Greek officials are intensifying coast guard patrols and planning to establish a detention facility.
In recent days, Greece has faced a significant influx of migrants arriving primarily from Libya, with more than 1,200 detentions reported in just three days on the island of Crete and the nearby islet of Gavdos. This steep rise in migrant arrivals coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts by Greek officials, including a visit from Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis to Libya, aimed at negotiating measures to control the migrant flow. The coast guard reported that up to 8,000 migrants have landed in Crete since January 2025, thus intensifying the strain on local resources. As authorities react to this emergency situation, the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, announced a temporary suspension of asylum claims for arrivals by sea from North Africa, effective for an initial period of three months. He emphasized the need for emergency measures, indicating plans for a detention facility on Crete and collaboration with Libyan authorities to prevent further departures.