More than 100 Middle Eastern and Northern African immigrants trying to make their way to Europe were picked up in the past three days, dpa quoted Greek authorities as saying Sunday. Thirty-five people were detained Sunday in the harbour city of Patras. Coast guard officials said they became aware of the group after a smuggler stole a boat to get the immigrants to Italy. Authorities also reported picking up a further 67 migrants on the Aegean islands of Samos and Lesbos in the past three days. Greece's migrant centres are overflowing as a steady stream of people arrive, hoping to can enter Europe via Greece.
