Ruthless Turkish smugglers are changing tactics and finding new routes to smuggle refugees into Greece. The tiny frontier island of Kastellorizo— the farthest away spot in Greek territory from the Greek mainland in the far eastern Aegean, has seen upwards of 1,000 refugees arrive on its shores in the past 72 hours.
The population of the island— a mere 250 people— is stepping up to the challenge of organizing and assisting so many arrivals.
The island’s volunteers are struggling to handle so many people.
“What do we do? They are being pushed to our island. They are desperate. They are fleeing war. They will do anything the smugglers tell them and as result of a change in tactics, our island has become a new epicenter,” said Nikos Dimou, a part time resident of Kastellorizo who spoke to the Pappas Post via telephone.
Dimou added that people were cooking in their homes round the clock to bring food and water. “No matter what your politics and beliefs, everyone deserves dignity and our residents are doing their best to provide dignity,” Dimou said.
Makeshift shelters have been created in schools and other public buildings and locals are bringing food from their homes to feed and tend to the refugees, while arrangements are made to register the refugees and send them to Athens.
According to news reports from Kastellorizo, there are more than 300 women and children in the group and hundreds have amassed across the channel in the Turkish town of Kas, which is less than 8 kilometers or less than 5 miles away.
10 comments
WAKE UP.THEY ARE TRYING TO PUSH ISLAM INTO GREECE AN
D EUROPE. THEY MUST BE DEPORTED NOW. TURKS ARE DOING THIS PURPOSELY., ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE EUROPE A MUSLIM CONTINENT. GET THEM OUT. THERE ARE PLENTY OF MUSLIM NATIONS THAT WILL TAKE THEM. WAKE UP EUROPE BEFORE THERE ONLY ARE MUSLIMS AND MOSQUES. WAKE UP
We are taking care of 2.600.000 refugees!! Think logically before writing these articles. Do we have limitless sources for 2.600.000 people? Do we have to take care of these people?? Why don’t you help? Do you believe that being part of EU means that you have the right to ignore other countries and people?? The person wrtote tjis article is racist, ignorant and heartless. Shame on you all!!. Remember your humanity before blaming innocent people trying to help millions of people. How do you know the smugglers are Turkish?? Do you have a proof? From our point of view they are Greek. What do you say to this.
You are living in a fantasy land… The refugees are paying Turkish smugglers– some with help from government authorities, as has been proven repeatedly– and others buying FAKE plastic life vests being made in Turkish factories. I wrote the article and stand by it 100% as every fact on the planet points to Turkish smugglers being the main factor in this refugee crisis.
How can we support the residents of Kastellorizo?
I am not living in a fantasy land. I am living in Turkey. I know what is going on about the refugees and their desperate attempts. Ok. Let’s say Turkish smugglers do this and that. Do you think that these people get on those boats by force? Being a smuggler is a crime. And the government are always after them. Nobody is supporting smugglers. The fake life jackets were found and the responsible people are in jail. In your article your comments are not definitive. If you commit a crime you are punished for that. Do you think Turkish Police Force is fooling around and doing nothing?? That is not true. Finding a solid and logical solution is everybody’s responsability not only Turkey’s. Turkish government did not or do not force these people to go to Europe. This is every refugee’s own choice. Because of millions of refugees our cities’ cultural and peace wise environment changed. Do you think this is easy for Turkey? We have our police or army force according to our population like every country does. We are talking about 2.600.000 million people here. For 3 years we, Turkish people are dealing with this. In every city there are Syrian refugees. Some are good some are bad people. What can we do? We are trying to do our best. Do you know that Embassy of Greece in Turkey is giving Shengen visa too easy or too much so that EU warned them? And a lot of people were rejected in Germany because of this? A lot is going on in every country but I believe that we have to judge other countries with empathy.
Bee
you deliberately omit to inform readers that the so called refugees are assisted right a cross Turkey 1600kms and “guided” to the smugglers solely for the EU.
Do you mean to tell us that the Turkish smugglers act with impunity without the knowledge of the turkish security apparatus?
Turkey is not a free democracy anymore, it is increasingly becoming an islamic state, turkish intelligence both knows and aids the Refugee Jihad.
For that is what it is.
Refugee Jihad.
Greece and other countries do not have to take the economic and jihad refugees and indeed have primary responsibility for their own citizens before all others.
Sharia Law which is the practical outworking of Islam is evil and wicked for non muslims.
This is war, not humanitarian aid.
Ergodan Knows exactly what he is doing.
Who is helping fund ISIS?
Turkey.
Who is killing the Kurds?
Turkey
Who is benefitting from the people smugglers?
Mr 20% the President of Turkey.
Where does he take his inspiration from?
Mr 20% Muhamed the Islamic prophet, Founder and example to Muslims everywhere.
Hello Gregory, I am a volunteer in Leros, I worked here for 2 months. Do you think we can help? by coming to Kastelorizo with founds and help? please contact me by e-mail. Thank you.
I think it is high time you wake up to the Western policy in the Middle East. Syrians are victimized and are forced to leave their land. We are now taking care of them though it is beyond our economic power to handle the problem. This is only one side of the story. The other is your fear of Turks and Islam. That’s understandable. I don’t think it has been easy for you to forget the defeat and disgrace you had to face during the Turkish War of Independence. Sorry honey, we have, since the Ottoman times, a welcoming attitute to all religions and ethnicities.
First….People in the USA have become Islamophobic and Xenophobic. It is horrible. Second, The Jews, Christians, and Muslims have the same God. If you are praying to Aphrodite –well that is different. But the man in the sky, who gave birth to the children of Abraham, is the same being for the big three religions. Third, Yes Turkey has taken over 2 1/2 million refugees. Jordan and Lebanon took in a lot too. Forth, Jehad means “struggle”. I mean like a struggle to be a good mother (my job), a struggle to give to charity, a struggle to pray to God, etc. Fifth, these refugees are running from war. They don’t care about making Greece Muslim. Sixth, the Yiayias (and others) who are helping the refugees are GOOD, holy, and wise. I hope they get the Noble Peace Prize. They make me proud to be a Greek. Six, only peace and love will save planet Earth. I wish I were in Greece and could help. I am on the other side of the world. Now I have to get back to my Mommy job.