Coast guard officers in the eastern Aegean rescued more than 500 migrants on Wednesday after intercepting several vessels.

Following 16 search and rescue operations off the islands of Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Farmakonisi and Kos, officers transferred a total of 553 people to safety.

The islands of the eastern Aegean, particularly Lesvos, have seen a massive increase in refugee inflows this summer, with aid groups warning of a mounting humanitarian crisis.