The Greek island of Rhodes is grappling with a migrant crisis that locals say is beyond control. With more than 700 undocumented migrants overcrowding the island’s facilities, residents are voicing frustration with what they see as government inaction, demanding immediate support to address the crisis.
Overflowing beyond capacity, migrants are forced to live in parks, sidewalks, and makeshift camps in the island’s historic Old Town. The visible strain on the community has led to tensions, as locals feel the island’s resources and law enforcement are at a breaking point.
More than 135k illegal migrants have crossed the English Channel since 2018.
How did some of those people get to Britain? Perhaps their journey started here, on the Greek island of Rhodes.
I travelled to a migrant encampment on the island to find out more. pic.twitter.com/zqrd4CV8Zj
— JACK ANDERTON (@JACKGUYANDERTON) October 28, 2024
Manolis Androulakis, head of the South Dodecanese Police Officers Union, voiced concerns over the limited resources available to police. “The situation is at a breaking point,” he said, warning that officers are unable to keep up with migrant escorts to mainland facilities. According to Androulakis, it can take up to 20 days to arrange an escort due to staff shortages, leaving migrants stranded and officials struggling to maintain order.
At a recent South Aegean Regional Council meeting, Rhodes Mayor Alexandros Koliadis called for immediate action, emphasizing a dire shortage of law enforcement and port authority personnel. With daily migrant arrivals, facilities are overwhelmed, yet the government response remains slow.
‘We are at breaking point!’ — Rhodes suffers under weight of migrant crisis as locals demand action https://t.co/wzguC7u6WH via @RMXnews
— B Gallagher (@Gally66kg) October 25, 2024
The lack of adequate shelter has left migrants with little choice but to sleep in public spaces, compounding challenges for both the community and law enforcement. Frustration is mounting as residents demand solutions. Androulakis echoed the sentiment, stating, “It is not possible for us to shoulder the entire burden of immigration while others look on indifferently.”
Local leaders have called for increased transfers to the mainland, yet logistical issues hinder progress. Plans to transfer 120 migrants to Piraeus fell through, sparking further disappointment among locals. As residents of Rhodes demand action, the crisis underscores a need for more rapid intervention to support the island’s struggling community.
