More than 170 migrants reach Lesvos, Samos early New Year’s Day

Boats carrying refugees arrive in Lesbos in 2015 - library photo via eKathimerini

eKathimerini — More than 170 migrants reached the shores of Lesvos and Samos in the early hours of New Year’s Day in two boats, according to an official announcement.

The first group arrived at 12.30 a.m. when an inflatable boat carrying 52 people reached the coastline of Mytilene, the main port of Lesvos.

Another 83 migrants arrived at 1.30 a.m. on another inflatable that followed the same route from neighbouring Turkey.

Shortly after midnight, a European Union  Frontex patrol boat  intercepted another boat east of Samos, with 38 people aboard.

All the migrants were transferred to reception centres on the two islands.