Greece’s coast guard says it has stopped five boats carrying more than 120 people from illegally entering Greek waters from Turkey in the eastern Aegean Sea near Kos
Greece's coast guard said Friday it has prevented five boats carrying more than 120 people in total from illegally entering Greek waters in the eastern Aegean Sea from Turkey.
A coast guard statement said patrol boats from the European Union's Frontex border agency helped in the operation, and none of the migrant boats were allowed to reach Greek waters.
Turkish coast guard boats eventually reached at the location, off the island of Kos, and picked up the migrants.
Under a 2016 agreement with the EU, Turkey — Greece’s historic regional foe — has been asked to limit the flows of migrants trying to reach Greek shores sometimes unsuccessfully as fatal accidents are frequent.
Regardless, thousands of people still risk the often dangerous crossing every year, using small unseaworthy boats provided by smuggling rings.