A tragic event unfolded off the coast of Greece when a wooden boat carrying 100 migrants sank about 25 miles south of Gavdos‚ a small island. The incident which occurred on 10/9/2024 resulted in at least one confirmed fatality and two individuals reported missing
The Greek coast guard reported that a cargo ship in the vicinity managed to rescue 97 people. The survivors (a mix of men and women) hailed from various countries including Pakistan‚ Sudan Bangladesh and Somalia. They were transported to Heraklion‚ located on the island of Crete. The cause of the boats sinking remains unclear at this time
This unfortunate occurrence follows closely on the heels of another maritime disaster. Just a day earlier‚ a smuggling boat capsized near the eastern Greek island of Kos‚ claiming the lives of two women and two children; while 27 others were saved
Greece has long been a key entry point for people seeking refuge in the European Union (EU). These individuals – fleeing conflicts poverty and environmental challenges in Africa Asia and the Middle East – often embark on perilous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea or take shorter but equally dangerous routes from nearby Turkish shores
According to the United Nations refugee agency by early October 2024 Greece had registered over 42‚000 migrant arrivals. The vast majority – more than 36‚500 – reached Greek territory by sea
Sofia Voultepsi Greeces deputy minister for migration recently highlighted the long-term immigration pressures facing Europe. She pointed to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Africa as well as the impacts of climate change as contributing factors. Voultepsi also expressed concerns about the practical implementation of a landmark EU migration pact‚ slated to take effect in mid-2026
The EU migration pact is still lacking in practical terms
The deputy minister emphasized the need for a common EU-wide system to handle deportations of individuals whose asylum claims are rejected. Additionally Voultepsi voiced alarm regarding the growing number of refugees in Lebanon due to Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah
Elsewhere in Europe other countries are grappling with migration-related challenges:
- Italy has begun implementing a five-year agreement with Albania to process asylum applications of migrants intercepted in international waters
- Polandʼs Prime Minister Donald Tusk has proposed a temporary suspension of asylum rights
As of early October 2024‚ Italy remains the primary European destination for irregular migration‚ with over 52‚000 arrivals recorded. These developments underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of the migration issue facing European nations