Migrants and refugees on the East Aegean Greek island of Lesvos took to the island’s streets on Monday to express their frustration with the current living conditions on the island.
Migrants and refugees staying at the islands Kara Tepe reception facility, left the facility in the morning and headed to the port of Mitilini. Another group of migrants and refugees also made their way to the port and the two groups demanded better living conditions, as well as their departure from the island. Police stopped the protesters from moving into the island’s market.
Greek Alternate Migration Minister Giannis Mouzalas noted that Lesvos currently has 15,000 to 17,000 migrants and refugees during an interview with VIMA radio station.
The Eleftherios Venizelos passenger ship, which has been used by the Greek government to transport migrants and refugees from the Greek islands to the port of Piraeus, began its latest journey at 7 am on Monday when it left the port of Mitilini with 2,492 migrants and refugees for Piraeus.
The European Commission spokesperson Natasha Bertaud announced that Greece has requested 2.5 million euros in emergency funds to strengthen efforts to deal with the daily influx of migrants and refugees.