Greece Halts Asylum Applications Amid Migrant Surge from North Africa

Thu Jul 10 2025 14:54:44 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
Greece Halts Asylum Applications Amid Migrant Surge from North Africa

Greece suspends asylum processing for migrants from North Africa for three months in response to rising entry numbers by sea.


In a decisive move, Greece has announced a temporary suspension of asylum applications from North Africa as the nation grapples with a significant increase in migrant arrivals, marking a 350% surge since the start of the year.

Greece has initiated a three-month halt on processing asylum requests from North Africa following a notable rise in migrant entries. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis revealed that migrants arriving by boat will face arrest and detention, aiming to deter traffickers and potential migrants seeking to reach Greece. "This emergency situation requires emergency response measures," he stated, referencing similar actions taken in 2020 to curb crossings from Turkey.

Mitsotakis’s assertion comes on the heels of increasing migrant landings on Crete and Gavdos, with over 2,000 migrants arriving in recent days alone. As reported, this year alone has seen a total of approximately 9,000 migrants land on Crete, a staggering increase from previous years. Vasilis Katsikandarakis, head of the Western Crete Coast Guard Personnel Association, voiced concerns over the overwhelming pressure on resources and personnel, urging that "immigration is suffocating us."

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis reported that the influx is "growing and ongoing," causing significant strain on local accommodations. Some migrants have even been temporarily housed in a sweltering market hall, highlighting the urgent need for improved logistics and redistribution, especially during the tourist season when transport options are limited.

In an attempt to address the issue at its source, Greek, Italian, and Maltese ministers, alongside the EU's migration commissioner, traveled to Libya to strategize on curbing migrant departures. However, their mission was thwarted when the Libyan Government of National Stability prevented their entry, citing sovereignty concerns. Regardless, Mitsotakis indicated that the Greek army remains ready to act in cooperation with Libyan authorities to prevent vessel departures.

Despite these measures, NGOs have criticized the European governments' approach, citing the inhumane treatment that many migrants endure upon interception by the Libyan coastguard. Amnesty International has condemned attempts to halt departures, asserting that they compromise the dignity and lives of refugees and migrants.

MORE ON THEME

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 18:42:20 GMT

Greece Halts Asylum Applications Amid Surge of Migrant Arrivals

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 18:42:20 GMT
Wed, 09 Jul 2025 06:08:01 GMT

Hope Dims as Over 160 Remain Missing in Texas Flood Aftermath

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 06:08:01 GMT
Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:47:55 GMT

Reinforcing Franco-British Ties: King Charles’ Diplomatic Push During Macron’s State Visit

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:47:55 GMT
Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:43:12 GMT

Acropolis Temporarily Closes as Greece Faces Sweltering Heatwave

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:43:12 GMT
Tue, 08 Jul 2025 06:50:11 GMT

Indonesian Volcano Lewotobi Laki-laki Erupts, Forces Mass Evacuations

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 06:50:11 GMT
Tue, 08 Jul 2025 01:42:40 GMT

**King Charles and Macron’s Visit: A Renaissance for UK-France Relations**

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 01:42:40 GMT
Mon, 07 Jul 2025 05:34:34 GMT

**Peru Uncovers 3,500-Year-Old Trading City: Peñico**

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 05:34:34 GMT
Sat, 05 Jul 2025 09:20:35 GMT

Echoes of the Kindertransport: Survivors Reflect on a Journey to Safety

Sat, 05 Jul 2025 09:20:35 GMT
Sat, 05 Jul 2025 07:35:59 GMT

Tiny Zooplankton: Heroes in the Fight Against Climate Change

Sat, 05 Jul 2025 07:35:59 GMT
Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:23:02 GMT

Wildfires Erupt on Crete: Tourism at Risk as Heatwave Sweeps Europe

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:23:02 GMT
Fri, 04 Jul 2025 14:39:10 GMT

Gaza Aid Distribution Under Fire: Alarming Allegations Surface

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 14:39:10 GMT
Fri, 04 Jul 2025 12:21:43 GMT

French Police Take Unprecedented Steps to Thwart Migrant Crossings to UK

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 12:21:43 GMT
Thu, 03 Jul 2025 21:21:47 GMT

Gaza Aid Operation Faces Allegations of Violence Against Civilians

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 21:21:47 GMT
Thu, 03 Jul 2025 11:38:12 GMT

Tourists Flee Wildfire Threat on Crete as Authorities Mobilize

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 11:38:12 GMT
Thu, 03 Jul 2025 01:34:16 GMT

Mass Evacuations Underway as Intense Wildfire Ravages Eastern Crete

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 01:34:16 GMT
Wed, 02 Jul 2025 21:07:35 GMT

DNA Tests Reveal Ancient Ties Between Egypt and Mesopotamia

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 21:07:35 GMT
Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:07:43 GMT

Hundreds of Earthquakes Strike Japan's Tokara Islands in 11 Days

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:07:43 GMT
Tue, 01 Jul 2025 07:47:20 GMT

US-Israeli Funded Gaza Aid Group Faces Call for Closure Amidst Rising Violence

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 07:47:20 GMT
Mon, 30 Jun 2025 20:07:44 GMT

Heat Wave Sets Southern Europe on Fire: Residents Urged to Adapt

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 20:07:44 GMT
Sun, 29 Jun 2025 16:11:39 GMT

Europe Suffers Under Intense Heat Wave

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 16:11:39 GMT

Follow us

© 2024 SwissX REDD UK ltd. All Rights Reserved.