Tens of thousands of migrants have already crossed the Mediterranean Sea in 2015, putting this year on track to hit a record number according to the International Organization for Migration.
Greece has already reported 134,998 arrivals from Turkey, and Italian Minister of the Interior Angelino Alfano said more than 103,000 migrants have been rescued at sea and brought to Italy.
WATCH: At least 40 migrants found dead at sea, 320 others rescued from boat near Libya Saturday
The migrants are fleeing war, persecution and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Many are arriving on the Greek island of Kos on overcrowded rubber dinghies.
Authorities in Kos are overwhelmed by the large number of refugees from Syria arriving daily.
The Greek government has sent a cruise ship to the island of Kos which will be able to house up to 2,500 refugees and operate as a registration centre, after 2,000 Syrian refugees were locked in an old stadium during a registration process and left without water for more than a day.
Fights have broken out on the islands where migrants are demanding quicker registration. Migrants from Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are desperate to leave the island, as priority is given to those from Syria, who can be declared refugees because of the civil war in their home country, according to Reuters News Service.
WATCH: Syrian woman’s epic tirade sheds light on reality migrants face
Despite the massive number migrants on Kos, foreigners are still visiting the popular tourist destination.
With files from The Associated Press.
Comments