Migrants outnumber locals on Farmakonisi
The population of the tiny island of Farmakonisi more than doubled on Saturday when 93 illegal immigrants arrived on its shores after sailing there in four small boats from Turkey. The Dodecanese island, east of Patmos, has only 72 permanent residents, who took on the task of looking after the migrants until authorities arrived. On the same day, 71 migrants and four suspected traffickers were picked up after running aground off the small island of Elafonisi, near Crete. Authorities said all 71 immigrants were Arab men under the age of 40. They were given medical help and temporary shelter in a local school until more suitable accommodation could be found. The four alleged traffickers were Ukrainians and have been taken into custody.
