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.

More than 500 migrants arrived at the port of Lavrio near Athens on Thursday after being intercepted south of the island of Crete, after a surge of arrivals from Libya.

Greek lawmakers are set to vote on a temporary asylum application suspension for migrants from North Africa, a measure criticized as illegal by rights groups. This comes as Crete sees a rise in migrant arrivals,