The Greek Coast Guard announced that it had rescued about 29 people from a sailboat off the southwestern coast of mainland Greece and transported them to the city of Kalamata in the south of the country. Flag of Norway in Kalamata”, noting that “The boat sailed from the Turkish coast, near the city of Izmir, and most likely headed for Italy.”

In a statement, he said that “two people on board the ship, both from Iran, were arrested on suspicion of being smugglers. The Greek authorities are arresting anyone who boats with migrants and accusing them of smuggling.”

The sea route is the most common route for asylum seekers from the Middle East and Africa traveling from Turkey to the nearby Greek islands. But Greek authorities have faced repeated and persistent allegations of summary deportation of newcomers to Turkey, preventing them from applying for asylum.