LESBOS, Greece (AP) — Most drowned making the hazardous sea crossing from nearby Turkey, while others died of natural causes in migrant camps on the Greek island of Lesbos. After years of neglect, a makeshift burial ground for migrants on the island has been cleaned up and landscaped to provide a dignified resting place for the dead, and for their relatives to visit. Earth Medicine, the Lesbos-based charity that handled the project near the village of Kato Tritos, formally handed over the redesigned cemetery to municipal officials on Wednesday. “We wanted it to be clear that this was a burial ground, (mostly) for people who died at sea — some of whom have been identified while others have not,” Earth Medicine spokesman Dimitris Patounis said. “It used to be just a field.” For years, Lesbos has been a major destination for people seeking a better life in the European Union. They leave Turkish shores crammed into small, unseaworthy vessels provided by smuggling gangs. About 3,800 people have made the journey so far this year. |
Bamboo dance competition held at middle school in HainanOx paintings exhibited to mark upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year in MalaysiaIP system evolves as role of AI expandsAs China assures bright future, multinational firms eye win3 U.S. big tech giants face EU inquiryChina thrives as center of global brand exportsVisitors view pandaChinese private space company joins Taobao to experiment delivering onParcel delivery active in rural businessConsumer expo to display more new items