At least 16 migrants have died in an accident in Greece after their boat got overturned near the&nbsp;island of Paros in the central Aegean Sea.

According to the country's coastguard, this is the third maritime disaster involving migrants this week.

It has deployed air and sea assets to the area while authorities are scrambling for a search and rescue operation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-accuses-turkey-of-provocations-in-the-aegean-374988">Also read |&nbsp;Greece accuses Turkey of 'provocations' in the Aegean</a>

Pinning the accidents on trafficking gangs, Giannis Plakiotakis, Greece's shipping minister, said "The gangs are indifferent to human life, stacking dozens of people, without lifejackets, in vessels which do not conform to the most basic of safety standards."&nbsp;

He also attacked Turkey, saying Ankara "lets smugglers act unchecked."&nbsp;

Smugglers operating from Cesme and Bodrum on the Turkish coast are packing migrants in yachts to send them to Italy using new, more dangerous routes.

Rivals Greece and Turkey regularly spar over the issue of migrants, with Athens accusing Ankara of turning a blind eye to people attempting to cross into EU member Greece and Turkey denying the charges.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/turkey-versus-greece-a-long-history-of-disputes-323392">Also see |&nbsp;Turkey versus Greece: A long history of disputes</a>

"This shipwreck is a painful reminder that people continue to embark on perilous voyages in search of safety," said Adriano Silvestri, the UNHCR's assistant representative in Greece.&nbsp;

The UNHCR estimates that more than 2,500 people have died or gone missing at sea as they tried to reach &nbsp;Europe from January through November this year. &nbsp;

Greece is one of the main routes into the European Union for migrants and refugees from Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.

However, the flow has tapered off since 2015-2016, when more than a million people traversed the country to other EU states.

(With inputs from agencies)

At least 16 migrants have died in an accident in Greece after their boat got overturned near the island of Paros in the central Aegean Sea. According to the country's coastguard, this is the third maritime disaster involving migrants this week.

At least 16 migrants have died in an accident in Greece after their boat got overturned near the island of Paros in the central Aegean Sea. According to the country's coastguard, this is the third maritime disaster involving migrants this week. It has deployed air and sea assets to the area while authorities are scrambling for a search and rescue operation. Also read | Greece accuses Turkey of 'provocations' in the Aegean Pinning the accidents on trafficking gangs, Giannis Plakiotakis, Greece's shipping minister, said "The gangs are indifferent to human life, stacking dozens of people, without lifejackets, in vessels which do not conform to the most basic of safety standards." He also attacked Turkey, saying Ankara "lets smugglers act unchecked." Smugglers operating from Cesme and Bodrum on the Turkish coast are packing migrants in yachts to send them to Italy using new, more dangerous routes. Rivals Greece and Turkey regularly spar over the issue of migrants, with Athens accusing Ankara of turning a blind eye to people attempting to cross into EU member Greece and Turkey denying the charges. Also see | Turkey versus Greece: A long history of disputes "This shipwreck is a painful reminder that people continue to embark on perilous voyages in search of safety," said Adriano Silvestri, the UNHCR's assistant representative in Greece. The UNHCR estimates that more than 2,500 people have died or gone missing at sea as they tried to reach Europe from January through November this year. Greece is one of the main routes into the European Union for migrants and refugees from Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. However, the flow has tapered off since 2015-2016, when more than a million people traversed the country to other EU states. (With inputs from agencies)

At least 16 migrants dead in Greece after their boat capsizes

Greece fears a fresh standoff on its border with&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;after the Turkish foreign minister suggested migrants and refugees would shortly return to the frontier as the two countries emerge from coronavirus lockdowns.

Mevlut Cavusoglu, foreign affairs minister of Turkey, ''due to the pandemic, the movement of migrants has slowed down. But they will definitely want to leave after the outbreak is over.''

The statement set off alarm bells in Athens, where analysts are increasingly voicing fears of an iteration of&nbsp;the crisis that erupted earlier this year&nbsp;when the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, declared the doors to Europe were open and migrants free to cross into Greece.

After a hiatus of almost three months, Greek authorities reported several boats of men, women and children landing on the shores of Lesbos last week.

However,&nbsp;Cavusoglu denied&nbsp;said allegations&nbsp;were "utterly false".

Some 37,000 asylum seekers remain on the outposts in vastly overcrowded conditions that have been deplored by human rights groups.

As a precautionary measure against coronavirus, Turkey sealed its north-western land frontier, demarcated by the Evros River in mid-March, but only after&nbsp;weeks of chaos and high drama&nbsp;in which thousands attempted to cross the border amid a hail of rubber bullets and teargas fired by elite forces on either side.

Previously,&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;on Sunday dismissed reports that Turkish soldiers had occupied a strip of Greek territory in the Evros border region, where Athens is expanding a fence to keep migrants out.

Greece fears a fresh standoff on its border with Turkey after the Turkish foreign minister suggested migrants and refugees would shortly return to the frontier as the two countries emerge from coronavirus lockdowns.

Greece fears a fresh standoff on its border with Turkey after the Turkish foreign minister suggested migrants and refugees would shortly return to the frontier as the two countries emerge from coronavirus lockdowns. Mevlut Cavusoglu, foreign affairs minister of Turkey, ''due to the pandemic, the movement of migrants has slowed down. But they will definitely want to leave after the outbreak is over.'' The statement set off alarm bells in Athens, where analysts are increasingly voicing fears of an iteration of the crisis that erupted earlier this year when the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, declared the doors to Europe were open and migrants free to cross into Greece. After a hiatus of almost three months, Greek authorities reported several boats of men, women and children landing on the shores of Lesbos last week. However, Cavusoglu denied said allegations were "utterly false". Some 37,000 asylum seekers remain on the outposts in vastly overcrowded conditions that have been deplored by human rights groups. As a precautionary measure against coronavirus, Turkey sealed its north-western land frontier, demarcated by the Evros River in mid-March, but only after weeks of chaos and high drama in which thousands attempted to cross the border amid a hail of rubber bullets and teargas fired by elite forces on either side. Previously, Greece on Sunday dismissed reports that Turkish soldiers had occupied a strip of Greek territory in the Evros border region, where Athens is expanding a fence to keep migrants out.

Greece fears border standoff with Turkey over migrants' return

Greece has managed to win the battle against coronavirus, as the country has less than 170 deaths over two months into the pandemic.

Keeping this in mind, Greek Prime Minister&nbsp;Kyriakos Mitsotakis, on Wednesday, announced that the country will be restarting its tourism industry from mid-June, and will resume international flights from July 01.

This decision has been taken by the Greek government to boost its economy that took a hit due to the lockdown that was brought in place to contain the spread of coronavirus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-to-open-organised-beaches-with-strict-social-distancing-norms-on-may-16-298710">Also read:&nbsp;Greece to open 'organised' beaches with strict social distancing norms on May 16</a>"The tourism period begins June 15, when seasonal hotels can reopen, and direct international flights to our tourist destinations will gradually begin July 1," Mitsotakis said in a televised address.

"We will win the economy war just as we won the health battle," he assured the Greek population.

It is being believed that the country is resuming its tourism industry as it suffers from a decade-long debt crisis, and needs the tourism industry to run its economy.

A list of nations resuming flights to Greece will be announced by the end of May, said Tourism Minister Harry Theocharis.

He also stated that Athens would focus on reviving a travel front "from the Balkans to the Baltic." Bulgarians and northern Europeans including Germans will be among the first visitors, the minister said, in addition to Israelis and Cypriots.

While all incoming travellers will not be tested or scanned for virus, some samples will be taken as a preventive measure.&nbsp;Around 600 beds will also be specifically set aside for coronavirus care on Greek islands, which attract the most number of tourists.

All museums will also reopen from June 15.

The Greek government has also announced a support package of around 24 billion euros, including EU funds, to help uplift the crippling economy, and make sure that the unemployment rate and the economic contraction doesn't affect the country much.&nbsp;

Greece has managed to win the battle against coronavirus, as the country has less than 170 deaths over two months into the pandemic. Keeping this in mind, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, on Wednesday, announced that the country will be restarting its tourism industry from mid-June, and will resume international flights from July 01.

Greece has managed to win the battle against coronavirus, as the country has less than 170 deaths over two months into the pandemic. Keeping this in mind, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, on Wednesday, announced that the country will be restarting its tourism industry from mid-June, and will resume international flights from July 01. This decision has been taken by the Greek government to boost its economy that took a hit due to the lockdown that was brought in place to contain the spread of coronavirus. Also read: Greece to open 'organised' beaches with strict social distancing norms on May 16"The tourism period begins June 15, when seasonal hotels can reopen, and direct international flights to our tourist destinations will gradually begin July 1," Mitsotakis said in a televised address. "We will win the economy war just as we won the health battle," he assured the Greek population. It is being believed that the country is resuming its tourism industry as it suffers from a decade-long debt crisis, and needs the tourism industry to run its economy. A list of nations resuming flights to Greece will be announced by the end of May, said Tourism Minister Harry Theocharis. He also stated that Athens would focus on reviving a travel front "from the Balkans to the Baltic." Bulgarians and northern Europeans including Germans will be among the first visitors, the minister said, in addition to Israelis and Cypriots. While all incoming travellers will not be tested or scanned for virus, some samples will be taken as a preventive measure. Around 600 beds will also be specifically set aside for coronavirus care on Greek islands, which attract the most number of tourists. All museums will also reopen from June 15. The Greek government has also announced a support package of around 24 billion euros, including EU funds, to help uplift the crippling economy, and make sure that the unemployment rate and the economic contraction doesn't affect the country much.

Greece to resume international travel from July 01; no screening to be done

The European Union is considering taking in up to 1,500 migrant children who are currently housed in Greek camps, Germany said Monday.

"A humanitarian solution is being negotiated at the European level for a 'coalition of the willing' to take in these children," said the government in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-migrant-crisis-tense-situation-on-the-greek-turkish-border-285032">Greece migrant crisis: Tense situation on the Greek-Turkish border</a>

Berlin was ready to take in an "appropriate" share, it added.

"We want to support Greece in the difficult humanitarian situation of about 1,000 to 1,500 children on the Greek islands," added the government in a statement after more than seven hours of talks between leaders of Chancellor Angela Merkel's right-left coalition.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrants-police-clash-at-turkey-greece-border-despite-erdogan-putin-ceasefire-deal-284780">Migrants, police clash at Turkey-Greece border despite Erdogan-Putin ceasefire deal</a>

Concern over the plight of the minors have grown as they either require urgent medical treatment or are unaccompanied by adults.

Calls have grown in recent days for other European nations to take them in, as Greece came under intense pressure after Turkey stopped preventing migrants from leaving for EU territory.

Over the last week, migrants have repeatedly sought to storm the Greek border, with clashes erupting as Greek police used tear gas and water cannon to push them back.

Amid the crisis, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due in Brussels Monday for talks with the EU.

Ankara and the EU agreed in 2016 a deal in which Brussels would provide billions of euros in aid in exchange for Turkish authorities curbing the flow of migrants.

But Ankara has repeatedly accused the bloc of not fulfilling its promises.

The European Union is considering taking in up to 1,500 migrant children who are currently housed in Greek camps, Germany said Monday. "A humanitarian solution is being negotiated at the European level for a 'coalition of the willing' to take in these children," said the government in a statement.

The European Union is considering taking in up to 1,500 migrant children who are currently housed in Greek camps, Germany said Monday. "A humanitarian solution is being negotiated at the European level for a 'coalition of the willing' to take in these children," said the government in a statement. Greece migrant crisis: Tense situation on the Greek-Turkish border Berlin was ready to take in an "appropriate" share, it added. "We want to support Greece in the difficult humanitarian situation of about 1,000 to 1,500 children on the Greek islands," added the government in a statement after more than seven hours of talks between leaders of Chancellor Angela Merkel's right-left coalition. Migrants, police clash at Turkey-Greece border despite Erdogan-Putin ceasefire deal Concern over the plight of the minors have grown as they either require urgent medical treatment or are unaccompanied by adults. Calls have grown in recent days for other European nations to take them in, as Greece came under intense pressure after Turkey stopped preventing migrants from leaving for EU territory. Over the last week, migrants have repeatedly sought to storm the Greek border, with clashes erupting as Greek police used tear gas and water cannon to push them back. Amid the crisis, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due in Brussels Monday for talks with the EU. Ankara and the EU agreed in 2016 a deal in which Brussels would provide billions of euros in aid in exchange for Turkish authorities curbing the flow of migrants. But Ankara has repeatedly accused the bloc of not fulfilling its promises.

European Union considers taking in 1,500 child refugees in Greece: German government

Migrants clashed with authorities on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-blocks-35000-migrants-plans-to-deport-arrivals-after-march-1-284533">Turkish</a> borders for the second week today as they attempted to cross into Greece.

Police once against fired tear gas canisters at the migrants at the Kastanies/Pazarkule crossing which has witnessed fierce clashes between migrants and police both on the Greek and Turkish crossings.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-russia-announces-idlib-ceasefire-after-moscow-meeting-between-erdogan-putin-284742/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Greece had said earlier that it had stopped at least 35,000 migrants trying to cross its border in the past week.

Turkey has deployed extra police in an attempt to pushback the migrants.

With the situation threatening the spiral out of control, European Union foreign ministers are due to discuss the crisis in Croatia today.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-blocks-35000-migrants-plans-to-deport-arrivals-after-march-1-284533">Also Read: Greece blocks 35,000 migrants, plans to deport arrivals after March 1</a>

"We have clear evidence that this population movement has been created and orchestrated by Turkey. I want to be clear the European Union will not let this human pain be exploited," Greek Foreign Minister Nicos Dendias said 
&nbsp; 
Turkey had said last week that it was no longer going to stop migrants at its border who had flooded the country due to the conflict in Syria.

In order to ease the situation, Turkey President Erdogan had met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to difuse the situation.

The two leaders reached an agreement to come to a ceasefire.

Putin said the agreement was reached to "serve as a good basis for ending fighting in the Idlib de-escalation zone and ending the suffering of the civilian population".

Putin had said earlier that the situation in Idlib province had become so tense it required one-on-one talks with President Erdogan.

Migrants clashed with authorities on the Turkish borders for the second week today as they attempted to cross into Greece. Police once against fired tear gas canisters at the migrants at the Kastanies/Pazarkule crossing which has witnessed fierce clashes between migrants and police both on the Greek and Turkish crossings.

Migrants clashed with authorities on the Turkish borders for the second week today as they attempted to cross into Greece. Police once against fired tear gas canisters at the migrants at the Kastanies/Pazarkule crossing which has witnessed fierce clashes between migrants and police both on the Greek and Turkish crossings. Watch Video: Greece had said earlier that it had stopped at least 35,000 migrants trying to cross its border in the past week. Turkey has deployed extra police in an attempt to pushback the migrants. With the situation threatening the spiral out of control, European Union foreign ministers are due to discuss the crisis in Croatia today. Also Read: Greece blocks 35,000 migrants, plans to deport arrivals after March 1 "We have clear evidence that this population movement has been created and orchestrated by Turkey. I want to be clear the European Union will not let this human pain be exploited," Greek Foreign Minister Nicos Dendias said Turkey had said last week that it was no longer going to stop migrants at its border who had flooded the country due to the conflict in Syria. In order to ease the situation, Turkey President Erdogan had met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to difuse the situation. The two leaders reached an agreement to come to a ceasefire. Putin said the agreement was reached to "serve as a good basis for ending fighting in the Idlib de-escalation zone and ending the suffering of the civilian population". Putin had said earlier that the situation in Idlib province had become so tense it required one-on-one talks with President Erdogan.

Migrants, police clash at Turkey-Greece border despite Erdogan-Putin ceasefire deal

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At least 16 migrants dead in Greece after their boat capsizes

Greece fears border standoff with Turkey over migrants' return

Greece to resume international travel from July 01; no screening to be done

European Union considers taking in 1,500 child refugees in Greece: German government

Migrants, police clash at Turkey-Greece border despite Erdogan-Putin ceasefire deal