Greek police have been working round the clock to register the thousands of Syrian refugees who have been stuck on the island after arriving from Turkey.
ADVERTISEMENTMigrants board a ferry on the island of Kos bound for the mainland, with registration papers in hand.
Greek police have been working round the clock to register the thousands of Syrian refugees who have been stuck on the island after arriving from Turkey.
However, around 5,000 are still waiting to be registered, for those who have got their temporary travel documents the joy was evident.
“Allemagne, Allemagne (Germany, Germany) I am going to Allemagne (Germany). I am very happy to go to Allemagne (Germany). Thank you Yunnan (Greece) you gave me papers and now I can go in Allemagne (Germany). Thank you,” exhaulted one Syrian refugee.
The tourist hot spot is struggling with the volume of migrants turning up on its shores, with 7,000 arriving in July alone.
Local businesses worry about the impact as migrants set up camp along beaches waiting for immigration papers to continue their journey.
“Why we’re living like this?” asks Syrian refugee Imad. “Why? What’s the difference between me and them? No difference, we all are human beings.
With hundreds more expected each day, a cruise ship will arrive on Friday to register the remaining migrants.
Kos is just one of several Greek islands struggling with the largest wave of mass migration since the Second World War.