Crete has seen an increase in migrant arrivals in recent days as authorities continue to grapple with the unresolved issue of locating a second reception facility on the island amid opposition from local residents.
A total of 524 migrants arrived on Crete and Gavdos over the past week, most of them detected south of eastern Crete or on beaches in the area. They were transferred to a former refrigeration facility at the port of Iraklio, where conditions are described as extremely difficult.
The developments come as EU interior ministers are set to hold an informal video conference focused on Tuesday on events in Ceuta, Spain, and the broader migration situation. Greece’s position is that discussions about suspending the Schengen Agreement are not the right approach and that crises require common, coordinated solutions backed by the European Union.
Meanwhile, a government decision granting the former Skouloudis warehouses to the Migration Ministry for a reception facility is being published. The site, near Iraklio, has faced opposition from the municipal council and residents. Demolition work approved on July 27 cleared the way for restoring planning compliance, while ministry sources said construction is continuing and the facility is expected to be ready by the end of August.
