SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The Lutka Foundation for Refugees and Displaced Affairs on Saturday warned of rising illegal migration to Europe this year.
“Above 29,000 people attempted to reach Europe via Turkey’s waters to Greece since we entered 2023,” the organization said.
However, “Only 28% of this number has successfully made it to Greece, which means 8,120 people,” according to calculations Lutka has conducted.
“Migrants arrivals to the Greek islands have significantly risen compared to 2022,” it said.
“During the seven months of 2022, only 3,580 have been registered in the Greek islands, however, in 2023, the number reached 8,124 people until this point.”
“The numbers have risen by 260%.”
It also added that the changes in the deportations policy of migrants to Turkey’s waters by the Greek authorities have prompted a rapid rise in illegal migration during July.
