Migrant Anger As Ship Sent For Syrians On Kos

Syrian refugees on the Greek island of Kos have begun to register on a giant passenger ferry sent to act as a processing centre.

It is part of an effort by the government to ease tensions caused by the large number of arrivals from many different countries in the past few days.

The Eleftherios Venizelos, which docked on Friday, is expected to remain on Kos for about two weeks.

The ferry, which can take up to 2,500 people, will also provide shelter for the migrants until they receive travel documents and are able to move on.

Most have been sleeping rough since crossing from nearby Turkey, often in flimsy boats.

Sky Reporter Tom Rayner on Kos said although the ferry's arrival is benefiting Syrian refugees, it is causing resentment among other groups.

"The Greek authorities have determined the Syrians have a more clear-cut case for refugee status having fled a war," he said.

"They get special provision but Afghans, Pakistanis and Iranians have to still queue outside the police station.

"There are fewer officials there to process their requests and we have seen anger spilling over into fighting, something that aid agencies are worried about.

"They are afraid there could be more scenes of that sort if people feel they are being kept in conditions which they cannot live with while they see others getting documentation."

The Eleftherios Venizelos has replaced an old football stadium which was heavily criticised for its lack of basic amenities.

On Tuesday tensions spilled over at the stadium and frustrated migrants clashed with police.

Officers, who were vastly outnumbered, used truncheons and sprayed fire extinguishers to regain control.

Since then, the number of migrants on the island has fallen from around 7,000 to 2,500, according to police.

Hundreds could be seen leaving Kos on Saturday on a ferry to Athens.

Given the economic crisis in Greece, it is thought the majority of newly-arrived migrants will head for other parts of Europe as soon as they can.

Meanwhile, at least 40 migrants died in the hold of a smuggler's boat north of Libya.

They are thought to have suffocated after inhaling fumes from fuel after the vessel took on water.