News Digest

2,400 refugees arrive on car ferry as Europe’s migrant crisis deepens

A car ferry carrying more than 2,400 Syrian refugees arrived on the Greek mainland on Thursday as a wave of migrants fleeing conflict and poverty continued unabated. Many of the Syrians made ‘V’ for victory signs as they disembarked in the port city of Piraeus from the ship, chartered by the Greek government to ease conditions in the eastern Aegean islands such as Kos, where migrants are arriving daily on inflatable dinghies and small boats. But many of those who arrived at Piraeus said they had no intention of staying in Greece after fleeing their country’s civil war, instead planning to go north through Thessaloniki to other European countries. "Which is the bus to Thessaloniki?“ asked 28-year-old Jwan from the Syrian city of Aleppo as he and hundreds of others milled on the Piraeus quayside, before heading into central Athens for trains and buses depart to Thessaloniki.

I want to go to Germany. It has very good universities and I want to continue my studies, get on with my life

Refugee Darek Khouja, 18, from Aleppo

The situation is no easier in over the Greek border in Macedonia where migrants attempt to clamber on to trains travelling towards Western Europe. "Everyone is rushing for himself. There’s a lot of danger of people being killed,” said Najeem, 24, from Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Britain responded to the migrant crisis by agreeing to set up a command centre in Calais to target smuggling networks while beginning talks with Belgium and the Netherlands. The initiative is part of a joint declaration from Britain and France which was signed by home secretary Theresa May during a visit to the French port on Thursday. The new control centre will see British officers based in France and aims to “find and disrupt organised criminals who attempt to smuggle migrants illegally into Northern France and across the Channel”. During the trip Mrs May revealed Britain had started discussions with Belgium and Holland on security at its ports. She said: “We are also looking at the security of other ports. We are very well aware of the possibility of displacement.”