A Reuters article breaks down the number of immigrants coming into Europe over the past month, mostly by crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
Following are points from the article:
— Over 460 migrants arrived on Greek Islands from Turkey last Tuesday, the highest level in weeks despite an EU deal with Ankara in March to close off that route.
— 462 new arrivals where recorded by Greek authorities between Monday and Tuesday morning.
— 6,500 migrants trying to reach Italy from Africa were saved off of the Libyan coast on Monday, which is far fewer than the thousands arriving each day in Greece last summer.
— Daily arrivals fluctuate from hundreds to tens coming from Turkey.
— Currently those who cross to Greece without documents are sent back to Turkey unless they apply for asylum and their claim is accepted.
— The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said it recorded a rise in refugees in August but it is too early to tell. According to the agency 2,808 people arrived in Greece through August 28, the largest monthly number since April.
— The migrants on Greece’s islands are 12,120 compared to 5,538 in March. Most are Syrians, Afghans, and Iraqis.
— Over 163,000 migrants and refugees have arrived in Greece by sea this year according to UNHCR. In 2015, it was the main gateway into Europe for over 1 million people fleeing the Middle East, Africa, and Aisa.