Local authorities on Greece's southern islands are facing a critical situation due to a significant increase in migrant arrivals, which is straining reception infrastructure. The islands of Crete and Gavdos are currently experiencing an overwhelming influx, causing considerable frustration among residents and a state of constant alert for officials.
Over the weekend of September 14-15, 2025, a sharp and sudden surge in arrivals was recorded. The small island of Gavdos alone received 578 migrants in less than a 24-hour period. This unprecedented influx pushed the total number of migrants at a makeshift reception center in Agia, Crete, to over 1,100, far exceeding the local capacity. Eleni Zervoudaki, the deputy mayor of Chania responsible for social policy, highlighted the ongoing difficulties, stating, "There is one more boat in Gavdos. We are waiting; we do not know the exact number of migrants arriving, but it seems that more will be added to the 1,139 we already have here today. A very frustrating situation." Her statement underscores the immense pressure on municipal services with limited resources.
The temporary center in Agia remains tense and overcrowded, with no clear timeline for when the migrants will be transferred to the Greek mainland. Gavdos, with only a few dozen permanent residents, is particularly ill-equipped to manage such arrivals, necessitating immediate transfers to Crete, which is itself struggling to cope. This recent wave of arrivals highlights the persistent nature of migration routes from North Africa to Europe, demonstrating the complex challenges in managing these flows, which are often driven by factors beyond the reach of domestic policy.
The situation at the Agia center serves as a stark symbol of the mounting pressures on Europe's southern borders, where local communities find themselves on the front lines of a prolonged humanitarian and logistical challenge. In response to such surges, Greece implemented a temporary suspension of asylum applications for migrants arriving by sea from North Africa, a policy that reportedly led to a significant drop in arrivals since its implementation in July 2025. Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has also pledged the construction of a closed migrant facility on Crete to better manage future arrivals. Data from September 2025 indicates that over 7,000 migrants have arrived in Crete and Gavdos since the beginning of the year, a substantial increase compared to the previous year. The EU's border management strategy, often involving agencies like Frontex, aims to create an integrated response to irregular immigration along the southern maritime borders. However, the ongoing situation on the Greek islands underscores the persistent challenges in coordinating border management assistance and effectively addressing the root causes of displacement.