Greece replaces Italy as principal European gateway for migrants as arrivals from Syria and Afghanistan drive 408% year-on-year increase The number of migrants arriving on Greek shores soared by 408% over the first six months of 2015 compared with the same period last year, driven in large part by a surge in Syrians fleeing the brutal civil war in their country.UN data shows that Greece received more boat arrivals than any other European country in the first half of 2015, with about 101,000 migrants arriving on Greek shores between 1 January and 17 July, according to the UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. Continue reading...