KOS

Almost 1,200 migrants – some crammed onto overcrowded inflatable dinghies – have been picked up by Greek authorities in the eastern Aegean Sea in the past two days. The arrivals of men, women and children travelling from Turkey have mostly been on the islands of Kos, Lesvos, Chios and Farmakonissi – all close to Turkish shores. After Italy, financially crippled Greece is the main destination for refugees, mostly from war-ravaged Syria plus economic migrants seeking a better life in the EU. About 30,000 have already arrived this year.