A video from Gavdos, Greece, depicting locals assisting a migrant boat into deeper waters has gained significant attention online. The boat, which arrived from the Libyan Sea, was near Sarakiniko beach when the incident occurred. While some viewers interpreted the actions of the beachgoers as unhelpful, the footage does not display any aggression, and the migrants appear unharmed.
According to Greek coast guard sources, the decision to push the boat away from the shallow waters was made to prevent it from becoming stranded, which posed a risk to the vessel. The coast guard clarified that the boat was headed to the nearby port, with a Frontex patrol vessel monitoring the situation.
This video emerges amid an increase in migrant arrivals from North Africa. Since September 12, more than 880 migrants have landed on Crete, leading to a total of around 1,200 migrants on the island, which has overwhelmed local facilities. The Greek government has initiated measures to address the situation.
- Why it matters:
- The incident highlights the challenges faced by local communities in managing migrant arrivals.
- It underscores the ongoing migration crisis and the need for effective support systems in place.
- The latest:
- The Greek government has announced emergency measures to deal with the surge in migrant numbers on Crete.
Source: https://www.tovima.com/society/viral-video-shows-locals-pushing-migrant-boat-off-gavdos-shore/
Source: https://www.tovima.com/society/viral-video-shows-locals-pushing-migrant-boat-off-gavdos-shore/