June 10, 2026, 09:52June 10, 2026, 09:52
Within 48 hours, the Greek coast guard picked up almost 550 migrants or rescued them from distress in several operations south of Crete and the offshore island of Gavdos.
Migrants repeatedly have to be rescued from distress at sea.Image: keystone
Authorities say that numerous boats are currently traveling from Libya towards Crete.
The largest deployment took place south of Crete on Tuesday. 192 people, including 42 minors, were rescued from a fishing boat and brought to shore. According to those rescued, they set off from the Libyan coast and paid smugglers around $3,000 each for the crossing.
The approximately 300 kilometer long route from Libya to Crete is being used increasingly by smuggler gangs. Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said just a few days ago that more than half a million people in Libya are currently waiting for an opportunity to travel on to Europe.
Meanwhile, the Greek Parliament ratified the EU’s new migration and asylum rules on Tuesday evening, as the parliamentary presidency in Athens announced. The law is due to apply from June 12th and, among other things, provides for closed reception centers in third countries. Plevris told the semi-official news agency ANA-MPA that they were in talks with two African states. (hkl/sda/dpa)