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Beachgoers Push Back Migrant Boat on Gavdos as Greece Speeds Detentions and Transfers

Greece is enforcing new deterrence rules to detain arrivals by sea from North Africa.

Overview

  • Footage shows men on Sarakiniko beach on Gavdos pushing a dinghy away as it tried to land after a crossing reported to be from Libya.
  • Frontex later intercepted the vessel and brought those on board to the island’s port, with authorities directing transfers to larger facilities.
  • Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said decongestion had begun and that all recent arrivals would be moved off Gavdos within two to three days.
  • Roughly 850 people arrived on Gavdos and Crete over the weekend, straining the tiny island’s limited capacity and prompting emergency relocations.
  • Athens has suspended asylum processing for sea arrivals from North Africa and passed tougher measures to speed returns, including detention and fines, drawing warnings from UNHCR over legal risks.