ATHENS:
Greece arrested nearly 200 migrants who arrived after an asylum freeze imposed on applicants in North Africa, the Minister of Migration announced on Saturday.
“The illegal immigrants who have entered Libya in recent hours have been arrested by the Coast Guard,” said Thanos Plevris on X.
“They are not allowed to request asylum, they will not be taken to the reception centers, but will be detained in police custody until the process of their return is launched,” he added.
The 190 migrants arrived in three groups in the south of the island of Crete, the Coast Guard for AFP told.
A fourth group of 11 people was found near the island of Agathonisi, opposite the Turkish coast.
The ERT state television reported that one of them had been injured and died later in the hospital.
Greece is experiencing an increase in the arrivals of migrants from Libya, landing mainly in Crete.
More than 2,000 people landed in July, arousing the anger of local officials and tourist operators who have exerted pressure on the conservative government to take action to stop the flows.
