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Greece readies floating migrant shelters as borders tighten Greece readies floating migrant shelters as borders tighten
(about 5 hours later)
ATHENS — Refugees and migrants pouring into Greece will be kept on Aegean Sea islands, with ferries being used as floating shelters, government officials said Friday, as thousands have already found themselves stranded in increasingly desperate conditions following border closures in countries to the north. ATHENS — Refugees and migrants pouring into Greece will be kept on Aegean Sea islands, with ferries being used as ­floating shelters, government ­officials said Friday, as thousands have already found themselves stranded in increasingly desperate conditions following border closures in countries to the north.
Ferry companies and authorities on Greek islands were instructed to limit the number of migrants traveling by ferry to the mainland, where thousands have been sleeping rough in parks and along the country’s highways, with existing shelters filled to capacity.Ferry companies and authorities on Greek islands were instructed to limit the number of migrants traveling by ferry to the mainland, where thousands have been sleeping rough in parks and along the country’s highways, with existing shelters filled to capacity.
Theodoros Dritsas, Greece’s minister for shipping, said up to two-thirds of migrants arriving on Lesbos and other Greek islands would be held there until Sunday.Theodoros Dritsas, Greece’s minister for shipping, said up to two-thirds of migrants arriving on Lesbos and other Greek islands would be held there until Sunday.
“The reason is that we need more time to prepare additional sites for temporary shelters,” Dritsas said.“The reason is that we need more time to prepare additional sites for temporary shelters,” Dritsas said.
He said three chartered ferries — with a combined capacity of about 4,000 places — would be used on islands to provide temporary shelter until Sunday.He said three chartered ferries — with a combined capacity of about 4,000 places — would be used on islands to provide temporary shelter until Sunday.
About 2,000 people — more than half from Syria and Iraq — are arriving daily from Turkey using small boats, but the number crossing into neighboring Macedonia has dropped dramatically in the past week.About 2,000 people — more than half from Syria and Iraq — are arriving daily from Turkey using small boats, but the number crossing into neighboring Macedonia has dropped dramatically in the past week.
Greek officials said no migrants were allowed into Macedonia on Friday, with nearly 5,000 people waiting at or near a border crossing.Greek officials said no migrants were allowed into Macedonia on Friday, with nearly 5,000 people waiting at or near a border crossing.
A Macedonian Interior Ministry official said the reason for the temporary closure is that Serbia, the next country along the Balkan migration corridor that leads to wealthier central European countries, has stopped letting in migrants from Macedonia. The official said Serbia had not admitted any migrants for the previous 40 hours.A Macedonian Interior Ministry official said the reason for the temporary closure is that Serbia, the next country along the Balkan migration corridor that leads to wealthier central European countries, has stopped letting in migrants from Macedonia. The official said Serbia had not admitted any migrants for the previous 40 hours.
More than 2,000 migrants are stuck in Macedonia and over 20,000 in Greece.More than 2,000 migrants are stuck in Macedonia and over 20,000 in Greece.
Slovenian police say the Balkan states have agreed to allow about 580 migrants to pass through each day. Slovenia’s STA news agency quoted police officials as saying Friday that agreement on the daily limits was reached at a Feb. 18 meeting of Balkan police chiefs after “considering the quotas” acceptable to Austria.Slovenian police say the Balkan states have agreed to allow about 580 migrants to pass through each day. Slovenia’s STA news agency quoted police officials as saying Friday that agreement on the daily limits was reached at a Feb. 18 meeting of Balkan police chiefs after “considering the quotas” acceptable to Austria.
Athens is blaming Austria — a fellow member of Europe’s free-movement Schengen zone — for the flare-up in the crisis. Austrian authorities imposed strict transit restrictions last week, controls that were also implemented by several Balkan countries.Athens is blaming Austria — a fellow member of Europe’s free-movement Schengen zone — for the flare-up in the crisis. Austrian authorities imposed strict transit restrictions last week, controls that were also implemented by several Balkan countries.
Athens says it is unable to stop migrants crossing its sea borders without endangering their lives.Athens says it is unable to stop migrants crossing its sea borders without endangering their lives.
“The policies of Austria and Hungary are turning Greece into a giant refugee camp,” Deputy Education Minister Sia Anagnostoipoulou told state-run ERT television.“The policies of Austria and Hungary are turning Greece into a giant refugee camp,” Deputy Education Minister Sia Anagnostoipoulou told state-run ERT television.
“What are we supposed to do, let people drown in the Aegean Sea?” she said. “Instead of making a plan, Europe is burying its head in the sand. . . . Europe is unraveling.”“What are we supposed to do, let people drown in the Aegean Sea?” she said. “Instead of making a plan, Europe is burying its head in the sand. . . . Europe is unraveling.”
— Associated Press— Associated Press
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