Greece could face a sudden influx of refugees and immigrants, not from the east but from the rest of Europe, following a decision by the EU that allows the EU28 member states to send back to Greece migrants that have applied for asylum.

Greek Coast Guard rescued on Tuesday 113 migrants from a Maltese-flagged freighter Gagliarda that was sailing adrift 32 miles west of the Ionian island of Paxi and had issued a distress signal.

Several refugees and migrants  left the camp in Moria, Lesvos, and set up their tents in a ruined Ottoman castle in Mytilene, in a desperate effort to escape the bitter cold and heavy snowfall which has affected the island in the last few days.