10,000 young migrants unaccounted for, EU police agency says
Posted February 01, 2016 6:00 am
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - The European Union police agency says authorities dealing with Europe's migrant crisis have lost track of about 10,000 unaccompanied children over the last 18 months amid fears that organized crime gangs are beginning to exploit the vulnerable youngsters.
Europol Chief of Staff Brian Donald said Monday that the figure "would be a conservative estimate across all the countries that are dealing with this migrant crisis."
The revelation that so many youngsters are unaccounted for is the latest worrying development in the migrant crisis and underscores the risks faced by people fleeing conflict, poverty and persecution in the Middle East, Africa and Asia once they have reached the apparent safety of Europe.
Migrants and refugees disembark from a ferry after their arrival at the port of Piraeus near Athens, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. Europe has endured a huge influx of migrants, most of whom undertake a dangerous journey in search of a better life. On Saturday, at least 37 people drowned, including children and babies, when their boat capsized during the short trip from Turkey to Greece. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
? refugee family sits on the beach at Pothia port, on the southeastern Greek island of Kalymnos, Monday, Feb. 1, 2016. European countries have been strained by the influx of migrants, leading to disagreements over what to do with the large number of new arrivals and how to share the burden. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press