© Mathias Depardon. Above: A young migrant is trying to get himself under the axle of a truck going to Italy through the harbor of Patras, Greece in October of 2010.
Between 100,000 and 150,000 newcomers arrive in Greece every year and according to Frontex 75% of migrants entering Europe come through Greece. To continue the journey through Europe, migrants have to reach Patras, a harbour on the West coast of Greece which can turn out to be a window towards Italy. Hundreds of migrants are still here, some of them for 2 years, in the hope of reaching Italy illegally. In Patras the living conditions are extremely difficult for most sleep in the streets and parks near the harbor. On a daily basis they are trying to enter the harbor by jumping on a ferry going to Italy, or riding directly under the axle of a truck departing on the same ferry. Everyday ferries, from Italy to Patras, disembark migrants who get caught after spending 48hours in the ferry lying under a truck, without food or water. Patras is the dead end of the European migration policy.- Depardon.
To see more of Depardon’s work click here.
Where would we be without vehicles eh? Walking! and that would never do. I have just been looking at the new 2011 Mondeo, it seems to be great and I’m seriously considering getting myself one this coming week.