(AFP) Greece has blocked over 150,000 undocumented migrants on its land and maritime border so far this year, the migration minister said Sunday.
“The entry of 154,102 irregular migrants was averted since the start of the year. Around 50,000 attempted to invade Greece in August alone,” Notis Mitarachi told Eleftheros Typos daily.
Border control is a top priority for the conservative Greek government that came to power in 2019, and will seek re-election next year.
Last month, the government announced plans to extend a 40-kilometre (25-mile) long wall along the Greek-Turkish border at Evros by another 80 kilometres as part of efforts to control the flow of migrants.
It will also install thermal cameras and deploy an additional 250 border guards.
