Greek authorities arrested 124 migrants on the island of Karpathos on Wednesday after spotting speedboats without any identification markings. Officials believe the boats were used to smuggle people into the country illegally.
The Greek coast guard conducted inspections near the island’s main port, where they found 58 migrants crowded together. In a separate operation, another 66 migrants were discovered in a remote northern area of the island. Many of them had already made it onto land, but they were found shortly after arriving on a second unmarked speedboat.
Among those detained was a 24-year-old man who was accused of carrying fake identification documents. Greek authorities are now investigating how the migrants entered the country and who might be behind the smuggling operation.
Greek officials say the rise in illegal immigration is largely due to conflicts in the Middle East, which have forced many people to flee their homes. Many migrants cross into Greece from Turkey or Libya, risking dangerous journeys at sea in hopes of reaching safety.
Last year, Greece saw a sharp increase in illegal arrivals—nearly 50% more than the previous year. Syrians made up the largest group of migrants, highlighting the impact of the ongoing war in their country.
The situation has put added pressure on Greece, which is already struggling to manage migration. Authorities have stepped up patrols and are calling for more international cooperation to handle the growing number of people seeking refuge.
