The former Agia Exhibition Centre in Chania (Εκθεσιακό Κέντρο Αγυιάς Χανίων), Crete, has been used since 2024 as an emergency facility to detain third country nationals, following a sharp rise in arrivals to the island and nearby Gavdos. Originally used to host exhibitions of Cretan products, the centre was converted into temporary accommodation due to the lack of official reception facilities in Crete.

Overcrowding and extended periods of detention

While the Deputy Mayor for Social Policy in the Municipality of Chania, Eleni Zervoudaki, reported that the structure can hold a maximum of 400 people, overcrowding has been a frequent occurrence in the Centre. In July 2025, approximately 900 people were detained for up to 10 days in the structure and in mid-September, 1,200 people were crammed into the Centre, with 342 being held for over a month.

Lack of basic necessities

The structure is described by civil society actors and media as a 3,900-square metre open space devoid of heating or air-conditioning systems, where people have to sleep directly on the floor, or on thin mats or dirty blankets.

In May 2025, in a public complaint against the Municipality of Chania, the Social Centre - Migrants’ Centre of Chania criticised the poor conditions inside the structure, noting the absence of showers, soap or even a roof to keep out rain. Although a makeshift shower was installed a few weeks after the complaint, it reportedly offers no privacy and is insufficient for the number of people detained in the Centre, as are the 12 toilets and single tap for washing clothes.

According to journalists from the BBC who visited the centre in July 2025, some clothes and toys had been donated for detained people, but were not unpacked as guards were reportedly scared of causing fights. As a result, press articles often describe people held in the centre as walking barefoot or wearing clothing which is not appropriate for the season. Moreover, as the Centre is an open space, women, men, families and children are all accommodated in the same space, although they stay in separate areas.

Tensions and protests

Overcrowding, poor conditions and extended stays in September 2025 contributed to tensions in the Centre. On 16th September, fights broke out between people detained inside the facility.

Lack of staff and neglect by the Ministry of Migration

Access to appropriate healthcare services, psychosocial support and legal assistance and information have reportedly been virtually nonexistent for people arriving on Crete, as regularly denounced by civil society actors in Crete, including Thalassa of Solidarity and the Social Centre - Migrants’ Centre of Chania. Lack of staff and mismanagement have been highlighted by statements published by unions of port workers and the coast guard, who are tasked with guarding the facility, including in early summer 2025 and September.

Despite repeated requests from the Municipal authorities in Gavdos and Crete to the Ministry of Migration and Asylum for both logistical and financial support, no action has been taken as of October 2025, including no proper temporary accommodation facility. Consequently, the Municipality of Chania bears the cost of accommodation and food provision, which amounts to hundreds of thousands of euros.

Greek Minister of Migration Thanos Plevris admitted that the structures used in Crete to accommodate newly arrived third country nationals were unfit for purpose. Despite strong opposition from local authorities in Crete to create closed facilities, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum has insisted on this as its preferred option.

On 15th September 2025, the Development Company of the Region of Crete which manages the use of the exhibition Centre in Agia sent a letter to the Ministers of Migration and Asylum and Citizen Protection in order to inform them of the decision to stop hosting new arrivals in the structure, although people continue to be detained there as of October 2025.