Current:Home > InvestDozens of migrants rescued off Greek island of Lesbos. Search is under way for woman feared missing-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Dozens of migrants rescued off Greek island of Lesbos. Search is under way for woman feared missing
View Date:2024-12-23 17:00:19
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Dozens of migrants were rescued from a small boat in difficulty off an eastern Aegean Sea island and a search was underway for one more person, Greek authorities said Thursday, as arrivals to the southeastern European country increase.
The coast guard said 43 people were picked up from the small vessel southeast of Lesbos, and three patrol boats were seeking a woman reported by survivors as potentially missing.
Greece was once the main entry point to the European Union for people fleeing strife and poverty in the Middle East and Africa, but it has now been overtaken by Italy and Spain.
Nevertheless, according to United Nations data, about 19,700 people have arrived in Greece since January. That surpasses the total of almost 19,000 for all of 2022. About half arrived in July and August. Most cross to the eastern Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast.
The coast guard said Thursday that, in addition to the people picked up off Lesbos, 50 migrants were rescued from small boats in the eastern Aegean over the previous 24 hours in three separate incidents.
Authorities also arrested one man Thursday off the eastern island of Kos, on suspicion of having smuggled a group of migrants over from Turkey in a speedboat. A coast guard statement said the suspect rammed a patrol boat as he tried to escape to Turkish waters and was detained after his boat sank.
Large numbers of people are arrested every year on charges of smuggling migrants in boats from Turkey. But human rights organizations have accused Greek authorities of unfairly viewing migrants steering the small vessels as members of organized smuggling rings.
On Tuesday, the Legal Center Lesbos group, which provides free legal assistance to migrants, said a court on the island awarded compensation to an Afghan man wrongly jailed for migrant smuggling.
The organization said the migrant it had represented was acquitted on appeal in 2022 after spending nearly three years in prison. It said Monday’s court ruling awarded him nearly 16,000 euros ($17,000) for the time he was imprisoned.
“It should not be forgotten that this case is only one of thousands, as people charged or convicted of smuggling make up the second largest prison population in Greece,” LCL said in a statement. “Most will never be compensated for this time in prison, even if eventually acquitted.”
___
Follow AP’s global migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
veryGood! (82492)
Related
- Amazon launches an online discount storefront to better compete with Shein and Temu
- Bruce Springsteen returns to the stage in Phoenix after health issues postponed his 2023 world tour
- Anticipation and anger on Texas border after Supreme Court lets strict immigration law take effect
- Summer House Star Paige DeSorbo's Amazon Spring Sale Picks Will Make You Feel Like a Total It Girl
- Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia Explains Why She’s Not Removing Tattoo of Ex Zach Bryan’s Lyrics
- Governor signs bills creating electric vehicle charging station network across Wisconsin
- Mega Millions jackpot nears billion dollar mark, at $977 million
- Beyoncé calls out country music industry, reflects on a time 'where I did not feel welcomed'
- COINIXIAI Introduce
- Watch out for Colorado State? Rams embarrass Virginia basketball in March Madness First Four
Ranking
- Sports are a must-have for many girls who grow up to be leaders
- South Carolina to remove toxic waste from historic World War II aircraft carrier
- Who is Mark Robinson? The GOP nominee for North Carolina governor has a history of inflammatory remarks
- Nevada judge blocks state from limiting Medicaid coverage for abortions
- John Krasinski is People's Sexiest Man Alive. What that says about us.
- FBI director Christopher Wray speaks candidly on Laken Riley's death, threats to democracy, civil rights
- Mega Millions winning numbers for March 19 drawing: Lottery jackpot soars to $977 million
- Texas’ migrant arrest law is back on hold after briefly taking effect
Recommendation
-
Stock market today: Asian stocks decline as China stimulus plan disappoints markets
-
Meagan Good Confirms Boyfriend Jonathan Majors Is The One
-
The first day of spring in 2024 is a day earlier than typical years. Here's why.
-
FBI says homicide rates fell nationwide in 2023
-
Exclusive Yankee Candle Sale: 50% Off Holiday Candles for a Limited Time
-
A teen weighing 70 pounds turned up at a hospital badly injured. Four family members are charged
-
Riley Strain Search: Police Share Physical Evidence Found in Missing College Student's Case
-
President Obama's 2024 March Madness bracket revealed