Greece rescues 840 migrants near Crete
Greece's coastguard has rescued over 840 migrants from the Mediterranean Sea near the southern islands of Gavdos and Crete during multiple operations. In one significant incident, more than 430 migrants were rescued approximately 25 nautical miles off Gavdos and were subsequently transferred to the port of Agia Galini in Crete. Additionally, the European Union's Frontex border agency rescued 96 migrants from two boats off Crete.
The surge in sea arrivals from northeastern Libya has been notable, with many migrants originating from the Middle East and North Africa, including war-torn Sudan, Egypt, and Bangladesh. These individuals often embark on perilous journeys from the port of Tobruk, facing dangerous conditions in overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels. The crossings, which span about 180 nautical miles, are among the most treacherous in the Mediterranean, with migrants frequently enduring days at sea without essential provisions.
Dramatic footage has surfaced showing migrants leaping from a speedboat onto a beach in southern Crete, startling local beachgoers. In response to the escalating migration crisis, Greece plans to deploy two frigates near Libyan territorial waters to deter further migrant departures. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has also visited Benghazi to discuss enhanced cooperation on migration issues with Eastern Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar.
The European Union, represented by Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner, is coordinating with Greece, Italy, and Malta to engage Libyan authorities in implementing stronger measures to prevent migrant boats from departing. These developments highlight the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address the humanitarian and security challenges posed by irregular migration across the Mediterranean.
