Greece is preparing to deport more irregular migrants to Turkey, four days after the first group were sent. A police source on the island of Lesbos said some 50 migrants and refugees of undisclosed nationality would be returned to Turkey later today.

A government source said the operation would take place unless the group decided to apply for asylum at the last minute. The first batch of 202 migrants were sent to Turkey from the islands of Lesbos and Chios on Monday. The move sparked a flurry of asylum demands, and forced Greek authorities to delay further deportations. It also prompted acts of desperation in some of the camps where migrants are held.