A total of about 200 immigrants were transferred from Crete to the port of Piraeus in the morning, as part of the gradual congestion of Crete and the island’s hospitality structure and transportation of the guests to the mainland.

Their landing was in the presence of strong Coast Guard forces, which regulated the process and circulation at the site.

According to ERT, the first ship sailed shortly before 06:30, carrying 94 immigrants from Chania.

The landing operation evolved smoothly, while at 07:00 the arrival of a second ship from Heraklion, which carried about 100 more immigrants hosted in Rethymnon.

The identity of the host structures inland has not yet been disclosed, but information says that the newcomers will be directed to hosting centers in mainland Greece as part of the gradual congestion of Crete.

Until next Wednesday, it is expected that they have left the island by ships of 800 immigrants from Africa.

Since the beginning of the year, 9,500 people have arrived in Crete from Libya, with an increase in migratory flows exceeding 350% compared to last year.

At the first meeting held yesterday at the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum with local agents from the island, the issue of migration flow management was discussed.

Thanos Plevris presented the interventions that have already been launched to condemn the situation, noting that the government has activated specific measures of deterrence, surveillance and reception, “to shield local communities, with full respect for the country’s international obligations.

In the coming days, the Minister of Migration and Asylum will clarify the nature of the Reception and Identification Structure examined in Crete. “It is certain that we are not talking about a prison, as it sounds,” said Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Yiannis Kefalogiannis.

The meeting was not discussed at all the location of the structure and the final decisions will be made in the coming days.

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