October 11, 2026

Athens News

News in English from Greece

New wave of illegal migrants off the coast of Crete: 110 more people arrived


More than a hundred illegal migrants were discovered off the coast of Crete and rescued in a joint operation between the coast guard and Frontex.

Greek authorities have recorded new cases of illegal maritime border crossings. On the morning of Monday, October 20, Greek Coast Guard with the support Frontex agencies carried out two rescue operations off the southern coast of the island Crete.

According to Unified Coordination Center for Search and Rescue Operations (EKSED)were discovered and rescued only 110 migrantswho were on two small vessels in the open sea south of the area Kaloi Limeni.

In the first operation 51 people was found on a ship 35 nautical miles from the coast. They were evacuated to a high seas ship with the assistance of a nearby ship and an unmanned vehicle. Frontex. All rescued were taken to the port Agia Galini.

In a second operation in the same area – about 44 miles south of Kali Limeni – more were rescued. 59 people. The rescue involved a coast guard ship, two civilian vessels and a Frontex drone. This group was taken to the port of Kali Limeni.

According to information Ministry of Maritime Policy and Islandsall those rescued are in satisfactory condition. The police are checking the possible organizers of the route and the origin of the vessels used for the illegal crossing.

Greek authorities note that the number of such incidents in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas has increased markedly since the beginning of autumn, despite enhanced control measures by Frontex and the coast guard.





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