2500 more migrants rescued
ATHENS: In the past three days, Greece’s coast guard has picked up almost 2500 migrants from the sea, as the relentless flow of people seeking the safety of Europe after facing war and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia continues.
The coast guard said yesterday it had rescued 2492 people in 70 operations off the eastern islands of Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Agathonisi, Farmakonisi, Kos and Symi from Friday morning until yesterday morning.
The coast guard also rescued another 13 people in the water near Chios. One was unconscious and hospitalised.
Greece has this year been overwhelmed by record numbers of migrants – the vast majority from Syria and Afghanistan – reaching its eastern Aegean islands from the Turkish coast. More than 200,000 have arrived.