Rhodes: Disruption from hundreds of migrants on the streets – Police say port camp is inadequate

There is growing concern in Rhodes due to the presence of hundreds of undocumented migrants on the island’s streets. Photos published by rodiaki.gr show migrants setting up tents in various parts of the city, seeking temporary shelter, even using cardboard boxes.

According to estimates from the local newspaper, there are over 700 undocumented migrants in Rhodes, with authorities calling for mass transfers to facilities in mainland Greece.

At the same time, the president of the South Dodecanese Police Union, Manolis Androulakis, in statements to Rodiaki, reiterated the need to relieve pressure on the facilities in Leros and Kos by transferring migrants to the mainland. He emphasized that these facilities need to operate as intended and accommodate more people.

He also pointed out that not only are transfers to the Kos facility, which is currently at 50% capacity, not happening, but planned transfers to facilities in mainland Greece are being canceled. For example, a transfer of 120 undocumented migrants from Rhodes to Piraeus, and then to Diavata, had been scheduled but was canceled because there was no available means to transport them to their final destination.

Regarding the space created behind the port of Rhodes, Mr. Androulakis stated in a radio interview that it is insufficient, as it is designed for 100 people, while the number of migrants in the city center is much higher: “You can fit 100 migrants, but where will the rest go? Nothing will change.”

Specifically for the Closed Controlled Facility of Kos (KED Kos), he stressed that it is only 50% full, with a capacity of 3,200 people but currently housing 1,600 refugees and migrants. This is partly due to the fact that some housing units were burned down during a migrant uprising last year, and they have not been repaired since.

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