Greek island on migration war frontline

Since August 2012, when the Greek authorities increased controls on the land border with Turkey, the country’s islands have born the brunt of the inflow.

Greek island on frontline of Europe’s migration war

The Greek coast guard boat races through the vast expanse of the Aegean, the water glinting in the morning sun.

Behind, in silhouette, are the lush mountains of Lesbos island – Greece’s third largest, a place of extraordinary natural beauty – but now one of Europe’s key immigration frontiers.

Since August 2012, when the Greek authorities increased controls on the land border with Turkey, the country’s islands have born the brunt of the inflow.

And Lesbos holds first spot. This year alone, 4,409 migrants attempted to enter the island from mainland Turkey – just six miles away.

Of those, 2,600 were arrested here, with the remainder detected in Turkish waters and sent back. Smugglers squeeze desperate people into overcrowded dinghies for a small fortune.

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Source: BBC.

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