Selfies on the shore

28.05.2020 19:16

Their faces basked in sun, a group of young men pose as one holds up a selfie-stick to capture the moment in a photograph.

It is a scene found the world over among groups of friends, families and tourists.

But for these youngsters, huddled on the beach at sunset, their souvenir marks the beginning of a new life in the promised land of Europe.

They are among thousands who have flocked to Lesbos, one of two Greek ports bearing the brunt of the mass exodus of refugees and migrants from the war-torn Middle East.

Moments earlier they arrived on the beach at dusk by rubber boat. Tomorrow they will join thousands waiting to be registered on the island before being given the go-ahead to travel to Athens before entering mainland Europe.

Many laid down cardboard boxes on the island's pebbled shores to spend the night after being plucked from sinking dinghies.

It comes after violent clashes in the town yesterday between overwhelmed local police and frenzied crowds waiting to be transported on ferries to Athens.

Some collapsed after being stricken while frightened children wept in their mother's arms. It was in complete contrast to the harmonious scenes found in Germany where the first five hundred refugees arrived on 'special' train services from Austria after being invited to settle in the country by Angela Merkel.

The mayor of Lesbos has pleaded for help from the country's government, likening the escalating situation on the island to a bomb 'about to explode'.

'I appeal to the prime minister for immediate measures. We will have victims,' said Sypros Galinos yesterday.

So far Athens has charted just two ferries to transport refugees off the island - a pitiful contribution, Mr Galinos said.

'I don't need one ship, I need a fleet.'

Lesbos is one of two Greek islands receiving the majority of migrants fleeing war in Syria and across the Middle East. The other is Kos where hundreds are arriving by the day.

The Greek coastguard said it had saved more than 500 people from the water in just 24 hours on Friday, with scores more expected.

In Germany thousands have arrived on trains from Hungary and Austria after being invited to settle there by Angela Merkel.

David Cameron has meanwhile pledged to increase Britain's foreign aid budget and promised that 'thousands' of migrants will be welcome in the UK.

(dailymail.co.uk)