According to IOM's latest report, Greece remains as the main destination for migrants, mostly Syrians from Turkish camps, given that a total of 150 703 migrants crossed the Aegean sea to land on the Greek islands.
Until March 31, near 18,357 migrants arrived in Italy this year, mainly from Eritrea, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and other African countries, but it is expected that the number of people using this alternative route increases in the coming months due to the recent measures taken to block the Greek route.
The agreement signed by the European Union and Turkey allows deporting all refugees and migrants who arrived in Greece from March 20. According to official reports, the number of arrivals (1,578) was reduced by 70 percent during its first week.
However, 3,421 migrants and refugees arrived in Italy by sea, which indicates that the country could become the first European destination for those people, the source added.
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PL-43/MNA
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