More Than Half a Million Migrants Massing in North Africa Ready to Cross Into Europe

More than half a million illegal migrants have massed in north Africa readying to flood into Europe, the Greek Government has warned.

The country’s Migration Minister, Thanos Plevris, sounded the alarm this week, revealing that Greek authorities believe around 550,000 migrants are in Libya alone awaiting the opportunity to break into the continent.

Mr Plevris said his country was working alongside Libya and the EU’s Frontex border force to prevent the boats from setting sail across the Mediterranean.

He told Greek media outlet Voria: “Those who are not entitled to asylum will be detained.”

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Since 2015, Greece has been a major gateway for over 1.2 million illegal migrants flooding into Europe – with many going on to make their way into Britain.

Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has implemented a host of policies in recent years aimed at tackling the country’s migrant crisis.

Athens erected a 25-mile wall along its coastline to block migrants flooding in from Turkey.

Th Greek Government has made it a specific criminal offence to enter the country illegally, with penalties of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to €10,000 (£8,655).

The law also applies to migrants who have overstayed their visas or refuse to leave Greece once their asylum claims are rejected.

Once applications are turned down, migrants can be ankle-monitored and are given two weeks to leave the country or face up to five years in prison.

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