Greece has suspended asylum applications for migrants from North Africa for a three-month period, following a sharp increase in arrivals by sea. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the emergency measure on Wednesday, stating that migrants arriving by boat will be arrested and detained.

He said the move was intended to send “a message of determination… to all traffickers and all their potential customers that the money they spend may be completely wasted, because it will be difficult to reach Greece by sea."

Mitsotakis added, “This emergency situation requires emergency response measures,” indicating that the suspension mirrors a similar legal approach used in 2020 to prevent mass crossings at the Turkish border.

The government plans to table draft legislation in parliament on Thursday to anchor the measure in law. “Clear message: stay where you are, we do not accept you,” said migration minister Thanos Plevris in a post on X.

The decision comes in response to a rising number of migrant landings on Crete and Gavdos islands. Over 2,000 migrants reached Crete in recent days, with another 520 rescued off its coast early Wednesday.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 9,000 migrants have arrived, marking a 350 percent increase compared to last year.

“Immigration is suffocating us... Our personnel are literally on their knees,” said Vasilis Katsikandarakis, head of the Western Crete Coast Guard Personnel Association.

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis acknowledged the worsening situation, telling Action 24 TV that the migrant wave is “growing and ongoing.”

Public broadcaster ERT reported that local infrastructure in Crete is overwhelmed, with hundreds of migrants, including 30 families with infants and young children, temporarily housed in an overheated market hall.

The relocation of migrants to other areas remains slow, partly due to limited transport options during the tourist season.

Meanwhile, a planned visit by Greek, Italian and Maltese ministers, along with the EU migration commissioner, to Libya was cut short after the Government of National Stability denied them entry.

The rival administration accused the delegation of infringing on Libyan sovereignty, despite the visit’s goal of addressing the surge in boat departures from the Libyan coast.

Nevertheless, Mitsotakis said the Greek military was ready to cooperate with Libyan authorities to stop boats from setting off.

The Greek government’s cooperation with Libyan factions has drawn strong criticism from rights groups. NGOs have condemned Europe’s push to partner with Libyan authorities, highlighting the severe abuse of migrants intercepted and returned by the Libyan coastguard.

“Attempts to stop departures at any cost show a complete disregard for the lives and dignity of migrants and refugees,” Amnesty International said.