Reports | 25 05 2020
Hungary closes its main border crossings to migrants on its border with Croatia
The Greek Coast Guard Forces announced, on Saturday, that three children and a woman died as a result of a boat carrying them capsizing in the Aegean Sea on their way from Turkey to one of the Greek islands.
According to AFP, a source in the forces advised that "the four migrants—whose nationalities were not revealed—drowned near the island of Kalymnos."
The source adds that "11 other people who were on board the same boat were saved, while rescue teams are still looking for one missing child."
The Aegean Sea has recently witnessed many incidents of illegal migrant boats—including Syrians—sinking, on their trip to Greece.
According to the International Organization for Migration [IOM], circa 300 migrants fleeing conflict and poverty have been killed in the Aegean Sea this year.
In addition, a spokesman for the Hungarian government confirmed "the closure of the main crossing points on the border with Croatia," pointing out that the "green border have been closed, and that immigrants can now cross the border legally and apply for asylum."
Media points out to the fact that Hungarian procedures were applied along the border between Hungary and Croatia; with the last openings in the barbed wire fence in Zakani having been sealed off, after the last group of migrants passed through on Friday night.
Hungary has announced, on Friday, its intention to close the fence to immigrants after work on it has been finished, as it did a month ago on the border with Serbia.
The European Union has, in the past few days, reached a tentative agreement with Turkey providing support of US$ 3 billion in order to accommodate more refugees on its territory, as well as tighten measures against illegal immigration from its territory to Europe.