Greece has long been a favoured gateway to Europe for illegal migrants and “refugees” from the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In 2015-16, it was at the frontline of Europe’s migration crisis and nearly one million people landed on its islands, mainly from Turkey.
Many are still attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in boats and accidents are not rare. Greece has since toughened its stance on illegal migrants, reinforcing border controls with fences and sea patrols.
(Reporting by Chandni Shah in Bengaluru, Aleksandar Vasovic, Louisa Gouliamaki and Rene Maltezou; Editing by Joe Bavier and Louise Heavens)