The Coast Guard announced that at east 4,000 refugees and migrants entered Greece over the past 24 hours, after 19 search and rescue operations were carried out around Mytilene, Chios, Samos, Kos and Rhodes. In its statement, the Coast Guard estimates that the adverse weather conditions will prevent migration via sea to Greece, although human traffickers are likely to find other ways routes to Europe.
Meanwhile, the police is on alert, after it was reported that a significant number of refugees and migrants are headed towards the land border between Greece and Turkey at Evros. Police officials told To Vima that so far there have been no attempts to cross the border, as Turkish authorities have deployed in the area to prevent refugees and migrants from approaching the area. On the Greek side of the border, authorities have begun repairing damages to the fence.
Finally the Ministry of Shipping is developing a Coordination Center which will take charge of the registration, relocation and processing of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. Upon arrival, refugees will be documented and identified at the centers on Mytilene, Chios, Samos, Leros and Kos, before being taken to camps in mainland Greece, where they they will remain temporarily, until they are allowed to move on to their next destination, or sent back to their home countries.
