Lesbos Is ‘On Verge Of Explosion’ As An Estimated 20,000 Refugees Are Backed Up In The Greek Island
Some 2,500 refugees struggled with riot police and coastguards in the Greek island of Lesbos, making their way towards the government-chartered boat sailing for Athens on Monday night - according to an article by The Telegraph on Tuesday.
Authorities present in the area held up their shields and batons, trying to control the crowd who sought sanctuary in the West.
The Greek mainland was the starting point of a journey towards Germany, wherein they would pass through Macedonia, Serbia and Hungary. Yiannis Mouzalas, a junior interior minister, spoke with To Vima radio about their plan to open another port which would be used to ease the tension on Lesbos - currently considered the home of some 85,000 refugees.
"Mytilene [the capital of Lesbos] currently has 15,000 to 17,000 refugees and this is the official figure from all services," Mouzalas said. "We are placing emphasis here because the situation is on the verge of explosion."
"We hope that in the next five days the islanders and the refugees will see clear signs of improvement," he added.
In another report, NBC News noted on Tuesday that the authorities would add three ships set sail for Athens. It would board 2,000 refugees respectively.
"We have reached a solution today and in four or five days this will be solved," UNHCR representative in Lesbos Alessandra Morelli said. "There is a bottleneck because the registration process is very slow but there is a plan, a solution."
Meanwhile, 20,000 refugees were still waiting to get their travel permits from the Greek authorities. These people chose to stay in the mainland's port in the hopes of leaving the place to start a new life in European countries.
"I stayed here eight, nine days - oh my God, I can't even remember," Engineering student Aleddin said. He added that he wanted to be reunited with his brother who already arrived in Germany.
He went on, "Some people have been here for 14 or 15 days. The government doesn't care."
On the other hand, reports revealed that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) wanted a speedy process on the registration of thousands of refugees still stuck in Lesbos.
