Crete has once again reached a breaking point, as arrivals of migrants and refugees from North Africa have sharply increased in recent weeks. Between 12 and 15 September alone, around 900 people were rescued off Gavdos and transferred to the exhibition center in Agia, Chania, designated as a first reception facility. [1], [2]
The site, built to accommodate 300 to 400 people, now holds more than 1,100. Local officials have denounced the conditions as a “disgrace,” accusing the state of being absent from the crisis response. The strain is evident: the facility has only 12 toilets—roughly one for every 100 people.
On Wednesday, the Red Cross announced its withdrawal from Agia, citing its inability to provide aid under such circumstances.
The situation has been further complicated by a July 9 amendment suspending, for three months, the right to apply for asylum for arrivals from Libya.
Under the so-called “Plevris law,” those people are considered detainees and should be guarded and transferred under police escort to closed camps on the mainland. Authorities, however, failed to carry this out in August, leaving Agia at three times capacity.
The Chania municipality says it has appealed to the Ministry of Civil Protection for transfers, only to be told mainland facilities were not ready. The Migration Ministry disputes this, insisting all necessary preparations have been completed.
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