Greece to Transfer Asylum Seekers Rescued Off Crete to Island Centers

Greece's Ministry of Migration announced plans on Sunday to transfer hundreds of asylum seekers, recently rescued off the coast of Crete, to reception centers on the islands of Lesbos and Samos. The ministry stated that the transfers are solely for identification, screening, and vetting purposes before the asylum seekers are moved to other facilities on the mainland.

This move comes amid concerns raised by local authorities on both islands about their reception centers potentially exceeding their capacity with the arrival of new migrants. The ministry emphasized that Lesbos and Samos will not incur additional costs due to these procedures. It also noted that asylum seekers whose applications are rejected will be deported.

Local news outlet "Sto Nisi" reported that over 200 asylum seekers are expected to arrive on Lesbos on Sunday, with approximately 200 more heading to Samos. For over a year, Crete and the small island of Gavdos nearby have become a primary entry point into Greece for asylum seekers. Crete currently lacks a migrant reception center, though authorities have pledged to establish one soon.

Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris, known for his strict approach to migration, praised a decrease in the number of asylum seekers arriving in Greece during the first seven months of 2026. Greece is collaborating with Germany, Austria, and Denmark to establish centers outside the European Union where rejected asylum seekers would be returned.

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The transfers are carried out exclusively for the purposes of identification, screening, and vetting.