MYTILENE, Greece—Since the start of the summer, the Greek island of Lesbos has assumed notoriety as the main gateway into Europe for thousands of desperate refugees.
But as the lives lost in the risky Aegean Sea crossing relentlessly rise, the island has a new challenge — finding space to bury the dead.
Nearly 500 people have died trying to cross the Aegean Sea from neighboring Turkey this year, many of them in the narrow but treacherous stretch separating Lesbos from Turkey.
At least 80 drowned last month, many of them children.
The bodies of another five people including a woman and two children were recovered early on Wednesday, the Greek coastguard said.
Local municipal and church authorities this week declared that the island’s cemetery was full, leaving them no option but to store dozens of bodies in a refrigerated container.
“We hope that the authorities will be able to find a solution quickly,” said Effi Latsoudi, member of a local migrant support group.
The local bishop this week said efforts to create a new burial ground could take years.
“It could take 2-3 years” to release a property near the island hospital suitable for this purpose, Bishop Iakovos told Mega Channel.
Lesbos Mayor Spyros Galinos said he would take up the issue with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras when he visits the island on Thursday.
“We have a problem with the morgue and the cemetery but it is in the process of being resolved,” the mayor said.
Tsipras on Wednesday said he was “ashamed” to be part of a European leadership that had failed to stop the sinkings, which now occur nearly every day.