Rescue operation completed immigrants from an islet in the region of Marasia Evros. In total, the Greek authorities detained 91 people, 32 men, 25 women and 34 children.

According to the police, immigrants in good health have been given clothes, food and first aid and will be transferred to PROKEKA Orestiada.

The relevant ELAS announcement in detail:

“They were discovered in the afternoon today (06/04/2023) by employees of the Kiprinos border department of the Orestiada police department with the assistance of E.M.A.K. and in the presence of Frontex officials, -91- illegal immigrants who were on an island in the bed of the Evros River, near the coastal zone of Marasia Orestiada.

These are 32 men, 25 women and 34 minors, for the identification of which the relevant information was previously provided to the M.K.O. about where they were.

Subsequent investigations confirmed the veracity of the information and coordinated rescue actions were immediately taken to rescue them, with a Hellenic Red Cross team present at the scene to provide assistance if needed.

As it was established, the migrants were driven into the territory of Greece by a human trafficker, who transported them from the opposite shore in a boat and left them on the island.

The needs for clothing, food and first aid of the rescued, who are in good health, were immediately met by the Greek authorities, and they will be transferred to PROKEKA Orestiada for further procedures in accordance with current legislation.”

Government statement on Evros

It is also noted that, as the press service of Prime Minister I. Sharma said earlier in a statement regarding the development of events in Evros, the Greek authorities are taking the necessary actions to prevent any illegal entry of foreigners into the country, taking into account national, European and international law.

According to the same announcement, in recent days, the low water level in the Evros River favors the illegal passage of migrants through the islets that fall into both Greek and Turkish territory. On such an island in the Greek part there were about eighty settlers.

“The Greek government has asked the Turkish government, which was sworn in yesterday, for coordinating the actions of the border authorities and preventing illegal crossings,” the report says.