Turkey-Greece migrants: 38 people found stranded on tiny, unnamed islandon August 16, 2022 at 1:15 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

The group – including a pregnant woman and seven children – have been stuck since mid-July.

The group pose for a photo on the islet off the Evros riverImage source, Baida

A group of 38 migrants, including a heavily pregnant woman, have been found stranded on a tiny, unnamed island along the Turkish-Greek border.

The 22 men, nine women and seven children say they have been on the Evros river islet since mid-July.

After being located on Monday, they were taken to mainland Greece.

The country’s migration minister said the group were all in a “very good condition” and the pregnant woman had been taken to hospital as a precaution.

However, at least one child died on the islet, which is near the Greek town of Lavara, according to the group and human rights agencies. Greek police have yet to confirm this.

There had been some uncertainty over the group’s location and therefore over whether Turkey or Greece should have stepped in to help.

Greek authorities initially said the people – who police say all identify themselves as Syrian – were in Turkish territory.

They were eventually found about 4km (2.4 miles) south of the coordinates outside the Greek territory that was initially reported some days ago. This is why, Greek police suggest, the migrants had not been found earlier.

Baida, one of the women in the group, described being treated like “a football game between the two sides” – Turkey and Greece.

“No-one wants us. No-one hears us. No-one wants to help,” she added.

Greece’s treatment of migrants trying to reach Europe from Turkey has been highlighted for a number of years.

Human rights groups allege thousands of people seeking asylum have been pushed back before being given the chance to apply for asylum. It’s also caused rows within the EU after a senior official claimed last year that the country was breaching European fundamental rights.

Some refugees say they have been forcibly returned to Turkish waters.

The Greek government has always denied these claims and insists it complies with European and international law.

This incident on the Evros river “highlights the brutality of pushbacks”, said Dimitra Kalogeropoulou, the Greece director of the International Rescue Committee.

Between January and June 2022, 232 Syrians arrived in Greece by sea according to the UN.

A map showing the islet and position near Greek town Lavara
- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Extra support for Scottish pupils ahead of examson February 1, 2022 at 3:37 pm

Bosses say a "generous" approach will be taken to grading when pupils sit exams at the end of term.Image source, PA MediaExtra support is...

Sydney floods aftermath: ‘Everybody is traumatised’on July 5, 2022 at 3:43 pm

More than eight months of rain have fallen in the Sydney area over four days, turning roads into rivers.More than eight months of rain...

UK household energy bills to hit £3,000 per yearon July 6, 2022 at 6:51 am

Energy price rises mean a surge in winter fuel bills are expected.Image source, Getty ImagesAll types of household energy bill are now heading above...

Title, top four and relegation to be decided – Premier League set for dramatic final dayon May 21, 2022 at 5:09 pm

BBC Sport takes a detailed look at everything at stake at the top, bottom and everywhere in between on the Premier League's final day.

Texas shooting: Uvalde report finds ‘systemic failures’ by authoritieson July 17, 2022 at 7:42 pm

Authorities have been heavily criticised for how they handled the attack that killed 19 children.Image source, ReutersA report into the Uvalde school shooting in...