No new migrant arrivals on Lesvos for fifth day in a row

There were no new arrivals of migrants and refugees from Turkey on Lesvos island for a fifth consecutive day, authorities reported Tuesday.

However, despite the slowdown, over 7,000 migrants and refugees were still awaiting processing at centers on the Greek islands of Lesvos, Chios and Leros under a relocation deal between the European Union and Turkey, which has seen sluggish progress since going into effect on March 20.

Some 2,000 of the 7,044 refugees trapped on the islands are staying at open accommodation centers or have been released from holding centers after the 25-day period deadline they applied for asylum has expired without them receiving a response to their claim.