CCTV9英语新闻：Tensions flare in Greece after first deportation

Tensions are flaring across migrant camps and makeshift tent cities in Greece after the country deported the first group of more than 200 migrants to Turkey Monday.

 

Under the pact, Ankara will take back migrants and refugees who cross the Aegean to illegally enter Greece after March 20. The measure concerns some 6,000 people so far.

 

Since then, migrants have been rushing to submit asylum bids to delay their transfer back to Turkey. The spike in the number of asylum applications has forced Greek authorities to halt the deportation process.

 

To help Greece process the mounting asylum applicants, the European Asylum Support Office has sent about 70 new staff members to the Greek island of Lesbos. The island is the main gateway into Europe. 

 

“This agreement is there to save lives and to fight smuggling networks. So my message is for the people here obviously that your individual application will be treated fairly and your case will be treated individually and a thorough process, you will go through a thorough process,” said Jean-Pierre Schembri, spokesman, European Asylum Support Office.

 

The EU asylum office has also issued a call for 400 experts and 400 interpreters to help with processing.

 

Greece has not yet specified when the next returns will take place. But a Turkish official said a second batch of people may be returned to Turkey Friday.