Greek authorities have transported more than 500 migrants to a port on the mainland in an effort to relieve strain on the island of Crete after a surge in arrivals from Libya.

The migrants, consisting mostly of young men, were transferred overnight aboard a bulk carrier after their fishing trawler was intercepted by Greek authorities. Service vessels helped bring them ashore at the mainland port.

Greece says it is suspending asylum applications for migrants arriving on the island of Crete by sea. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the decision in parliament on Wednesday, citing