Head of Greek IOM office: 100,000 migrants not coming to Greek borders

N1

Greek authorities prevented some 37,000 migrants to cross the border from Saturday till date, head of international Organisation for Migrations (IOM) in Greece Gianluca Rocco told N1 on Saturday, adding that information of some 100,000 migrants coming to the Greek border is false.

“The military and police are on both sides of the Greek-Turkish border. It's very difficult for migrants to go through. The Greek authorities prevented some 37.”’ people from entering Greece since Saturday. Only 252 persons entered the Greek territory and they were arrested. We've had some bad weather lately so the boats couldn't head out to sea. From the beginning of the crisis we've had some 1,600 people come to the island – mostly Afghans, Pakistanis and Syrians,” Rocco told N1.

He noted that there are many false information in the media.

“We've heard the news of some 100,000 people arriving at the border. That is false. We've 1,600 people in total since Saturday. We also saw the alleged maps and paths for migrants to take. Migrants are travelling the paths that are easier, faster and safer for them,” Roco said.

Asked about the migrants’ alleged plan to enter the EU via Bosnia, Rocco said their primary plan is to get the asylum in Greece – which is impossible to get.

“Those with families and friends in northern Europe are looking for work and they want to move on. Right now, most of them are travelling through Bosnia. Ever since Hungary closed the migrant route, they all believe it's better to take the route via Croatia and Slovenia. I don't see that trend changing,” the head of the Greek IOM office said for N1.

According to him, the current situation is in no way similar to the one in 2015.

“We don't think it's possible for a million people to go through Bosnia and the Balkans on their way to Europe. It's a totally different situation now,” Rocco concluded.