North Aegean islands

A historical chapel, which is believed to be 250 years old, in the Aegean province of Balıkesir's Ayvalık district, has been destroyed by treasure hunters who took advantage of measures implemented against the coronavirus outbreak.

Cunda (Alibey) Island, which is one of the favorite tourism spots in the north Aegean region, has begun to host local and foreign tourists with its old Greek houses, many of which are boutique hotels, cobblestones, churches and the dishes of Greek and Turkish cuisine.

Gale-force winds disrupted ferry schedules from Piraeus to the islands of the Northern and Eastern Aegean on Monday.

The winds, reaching up to 9 and 10 on the Beaufort scale, have led to the suspension of the Nissos Samos ferry service from Piraeus to Chios and Mytilini, while the ships leaving from Lavrio to Kea island also remained tied at the port.

Just 61 refugees and migrants arrived at the islands of the northeastern Aegean by late Thursday, Greek authourities said.
Of those arrivals, 24 people reached northern Lesvos and 37 disembarked in Samos.

Those who live on the islands of the northeastern Aegean have suffered. The plan tabled by the government, which includes the creation of new closed migrant centers, is the only way forward for the islanders' relief.

The long-awaited creation of closed centers for asylum seekers on five northeastern Aegean islands was announced on Monday by government spokesman Stelios Petsas, who stressed that a legislative act will be issued to allow for the acquisition of properties, land and sites by expropriation.

Residents of the islands of Lesvos, Chios and Samos on Wednesday held public protests against what they said is the negative impact of the migration crisis on their communities and on North Aegean islands at large, which is home to the most congested reception and identification facilities - also known as hotspots.

The regional governor for the northern Aegean islands has thrown his weight behind calls by local mayors and residents to halt construction of closed centers for migrants and refugees. 

A Russian naval cruiser had to cast anchor due to strong currents and bad weather in Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait on Jan. 6, according to a Turkish security source.

The Slava-class Marshal Ustinov anchored off the neighborhood of Moda, on Istanbul's Asian side, since conditions did not allow for it to dock, said the source.

Over 1,000 asylum applicants will be transferred from islands of the northeastern Aegean to the mainland in the next three days, according to sources speaking to state-run Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
The refugees will all be distributed to hotels throughout Greece, the same sources said.