The reflection his for the incident management with migrants in Kythira was expressed by Mayor of Kythira Efstratios Charhalakis to journalist Nikos Hatzinikolaou on Thursday, October 6, 2022, on Real FM. He pointed out that the problem is very serious for the island, given the frequent recording of trips from the Turkish coast to Italy. He added that he fears even more serious problems due to the possibility of incidents in Antikythera in the future.
In response to a question posed by a journalist to Mayor Efstratios Charhalakis regarding what solution should be given to the management problem The mayor responded to such incidents by saying:
«It could be addressed as follows: The procedures for arrest, identification, and administrative deportation must be carried out on the nearest land. This requires a change in protocols and procedures, which must be carried out by the Ministry of Migration in cooperation with the Ministry of Citizen Protection. Do you know what the procedure is now? These people were released last night. At this moment, the arrest, because they entered Greek territory illegally, has been carried out by the coast guard, so the case file is in the hands of the coast guard. They must identify them all, send the case file to the Piraeus public prosecutor, and the Piraeus public prosecutor must decide to refrain from prosecuting the illegal immigrants and then send the case file to the police, who must the Kythira police department to consult with the Ministry of Immigration to send buses from Athens and Kalogreza to Neapolis to pick them up. In other words, what I have described to you is five or six days» work. That means 12, 15, 20 meals for 100 people. Well, it is impossible for a municipality like mine to take on this task.". In closing, the Mayor stated that does not see that he is being listened to, while wondering what would happen if refugees landed on Antikythera.
