Greek islands arrivals decrease by 37.5% in 2024

Arrivals on the Greek islands in September has increased 25.1% compared to August, but a decrease of 37.5% compared to the same month last year,  a statement by Aegean Boat Report (ABR) said.

The statement said “so far this year arrivals have increased 32.2% compared to the first nine months of 2023. Last year 39.000 people was officially registered as arrived on the Greek Aegean islands, highest arrival numbers registered since 2016. If today’s increase continues throughout this year, 52.000 people will have arrived by the end of 2024.”

In September Aegean Boat Report have registered 59 illegal pushback cases in the Aegean Sea, performed by the Hellenic coast guard, 1.569 people, children, women and men, have been denied their right to seek asylum, their human rights have been violated by the Greek government.

“18 of these illegal pushback cases was performed by the use of rescue equipment, 516 men, women and children was found drifting in 29 life rafts in the Aegean Sea. Life rafts, as a tool for illegal pushbacks, stands for 30.5% of all pushbacks registered in September.

“Since January 2020, we have registtered 3.237 pushback cases in the Aegean Sea, performed by the Hellenic coast guard, involving 88.454 men, women and children. 1.054 of these cases was performed by using rescue equipment/life rafts, 27.790 people was left drifting in 1.603 life rafts in the Aegean Sea. Strangely enough no investigation has ever been launched by the European Parliament in relation to these violations.”