Refugees and immigrants transferred from islands to Athens

The government has started transferring the refugees and immigrants who are stranded at the Greek islands to temporary reception centers at mainland, while the first Turkish police officers arrived in Mytilene on Sunday based on the recent deal signed between EU and Turkey on stemming the refugee flow. About 18 more are expected to reach the island within the day.

Ariadne ferry arrived in Piraeus port on Monday at 7:30 carrying 582 immigrants and refugees from Mytiline and Chios, while Eleftherios Venizelos ferry is expected to arrive at Eleusis port at 8:00 carrying 1,433 immigrants and refugees from Mytilene who will be transferred to temporary reception centers in Attica and wider region.

Based on recent data, about 5,000 people are waiting at Piraeus port staying at passengers terminals.

The government aims to have the refugees transferred from the islands of Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Leros and Kos to the ports of Kavala, Volos, Eleusis, Scaramangas, Lavrio and maybe Crete as soon as possible.

The next step is to distribute them in reception centers in Central Greece, such as the centers at Malakasa and Schisto, but also in special facilities constructed at Filippiada, Ioannina, Koutsohero, Grevena, Kozani, Veria, Kilkis, Diavata and Drama.