Illegally Transferred Migrants Forcefully Dumped into Ocean
According to Greek authorities, there have been intense conflicts between coast guard officers and smugglers. The smugglers are forcing migrants into the Mediterranean to evade the coast guard. In one instance, a speedboat carrying an Afghan and a Palestinian attempted to smash into a patrol ship near Kos Island over the weekend. They then forced five of their passengers into the Aegean Sea and fled towards the island, while the coast guard rescued the remaining individuals from the sea. The coast guard later discovered an additional 30 people from the speedboat on land. The two suspected smugglers were apprehended.
In a different incident near Symi Island, the Greek coast guard reported that three migrants were forced off the boat during a pursuit by a smuggler's vessel. The smugglers managed to escape with the remaining passengers into Turkish waters, where they were apprehended by the Turkish coast guard. The three rescued migrants on Greek soil stated that they had each paid $4,500 for their journey.
Furthermore, the Greek coast guard announced that in the past 24 hours, a total of 42 people in two speedboats had been transported from Turkey to Leros Island. Two suspected smugglers were arrested among the migrants on land, while a third was apprehended during a chase at sea.
Coast Guard Kills Migrant
As per Greek reports, smuggling rings are now using high-speed boats instead of inflatable dinghies to smuggle migrants into EU territory, growing increasingly aggressive. In a pursuit recently, they attempted to ram a coast guard ship. The coast guard crew retaliated with gunfire, resulting in the death of a migrant.
In addition to the aggressive use of high-powered speedboats, smugglers are also investigating new routes through the central Aegean. Meanwhile, the number of migrants attempting to cross from Libya to the southern Greek island of Crete has surged.
According to the UN Refugee Agency, approximately 31,500 migrants have illegally entered Greece so far this year, slightly fewer than those who arrived in Italy and Spain.
The aggressive smuggling attempts continue along the Mediterranean Sea, with a coast guard pursuit resulting in a migrant's death off the Greek coast. Despite the challenges, the migrants' determination to cross borders persists, with an increased number attempting to reach the southern Greek island of Crete from Libya.
