Sunday 31 July 2011

Clandestino

Evros, Greece




The Evros river region of north eastern Greece has seen a steep increase in the number of undocumented refugees and migrants entering the country illegally over the past five years.

The early hours of the morning bring fresh arrivals from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Algeria and many more. Mothers with young children walking for days on end with little food and water.

The area is officially a sensitive military area for both Turkey and Greece, despite upwards of an estimated 100 people crossing per day. Greece has recently received help from Frontex, the European Union's external border agency, to stem the flow of people crossing in the north but this has only pushed the flow people further south.



Crossing the Evros river at night is a dangerous feat for those who cannot swim.

Many die trying to make a better life in Europe, the place they believe will be safer and filled with more opportunities than their country. The journey for many ends here.

Bodies are often recovered months after death, and the identities of those discovered is usually unknown. They are name-less, nation-less. Relatives may never know the fate of their loved ones.

To be continued...

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I am using this blog as a space to tell the stories of the people I have met; some photographed, some not. I'm a photojournalist covering a range of topics through my work.