Number of migrants arriving on the Greek islands DOUBLES following failed coup attempt in Turkey
Fears influx could signal Turkish government pulling out of deal to stem flow of people coming into Europe
OVER 1,100 migrants landed on Greek islands in the two weeks since the failed coup in Turkey -- DOUBLE the number over the previous fortnight.
Only 560 migrants crossed the Aegean sea in the first half of last month, but in the fourteen days since the failed 15 July putsch the number rose to 1,170.
The influx of migrants has raised fears Turkey may be on the brink of pulling out of a £5 billion deal to stem the flow of people risking their lives to reach Europe.
Turkey had agreed in March to take back migrants from the Greek islands in return for the cash and an EU commitment to ease travel restrictions on its people.
But Brussels has so far held back on granting full visa-free access until Turkey commits to changing its controversial anti-terror laws -- which stifle free speech and other liberties.
If there is no visa liberalisation, we will be forced to distance ourselves from the readmission agreement ... We expect a firm date
Mevlut Cavusoglu
However, an emboldened Turkish government, which two weeks ago survived an overthrow attempt by a section of its military, has threatened to trash the deal.
It could see the return of scenes witnessed at the height of the migrant crisis last summer, when thousands risked their lives to sail into Europe on makeshift boats every day.
Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu yesterday delivered an ultimatum to EU leaders calling on them to grant unhindered travel for his county's citizens or face a further influx of migrants.
"If there is no visa liberalisation, we will be forced to distance ourselves from the readmission agreement", he told German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
"It can be the beginning or the middle of October, but we expect a firm date."
Meanwhile, the number of people making the harrowing journey across the Mediterranean from North Africa to Italy continues to increase dramatically.
The Italian coastguard has said that 6,500 people were rescued in the four days from Thursday to Sunday alone.
Five dead bodies had also been recovered in that time.
The latest UN figures show there has been only a slight reduction in migrant numbers making the crossing this year.
As many as 89,000 people had made the journey between January and July -- just 4,000 fewer than the same time last year, according to the UN refugee agency.
It also seems the harrowing trip is becoming even more dangerous, with 3,000 people dying in the Med in that time -- 50% than in the same period in 2015, according to The International Organization for Migration.
Lawless Libya -- where the US this week began a bombing campaign to defeat ISIS cells in the country -- has become a breeding ground for illegal traffickers sending migrants to make the perilous trip.
The mayor of Sabratha in the west of the country yesterday said more than 120 bodies of migrants had washed up on the city’s coast in the past month – including 53 on a single day last week, Mail Online .
There are patrols but they do not have enough capacity to tackle this crisis
Hussein Thwadi
Hussein Thwadi said: "The whole coast of Sabratha is open.
"There are patrols but they do not have enough capacity to tackle this crisis.
"Illegal migration existed before, but with insecurity and the lack of state authorities the crisis has become worse and worse."
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