Within a few hours, dozens of migrants again arrived by sea in the small EU island republic of Cyprus. The situation has deteriorated since the beginning of the month; the reception and registration centers are overcrowded.
Within 12 hours, two boats arrived, each with 73 and 37 people on board, Cypriot Radio (RIK) reported on Tuesday, citing the Ministry of Interior. The majority of them are believed to have come from Syria and left Lebanon. Two men were arrested as suspected smugglers.
1100 arrivals within a few days
According to the report, 19 boats with approximately 1,100 people on board have arrived since the beginning of the month. According to government circles, the situation could suddenly deteriorate due to the intensification of the war in the Middle East.
Camp completely overcrowded
The reception and registration centers on the island are overcrowded. Given this situation, on April 14, the government indefinitely suspended the processing of asylum applications from people from Syria. The Syrians who arrive in Cyprus have to stay in the registration camps for so long.
Most asylum applications in the EU
More than 4,000 migrants and refugees have arrived in Cyprus since the beginning of this year. However, in the first quarter of 2023 there were only 78 people. This means that the island republic receives by far the most asylum applications in proportion to the number of inhabitants compared to the EU.
Source: Krone
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