Greek authorities detained 107 migrants in two separate operations near Crete, as officials pointed to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East as a key factor behind the rising number of crossings in the eastern Mediterranean.
In the first incident, a cargo ship assisted in rescuing 42 male migrants from a boat in distress. The vessel had been abandoned and later broke apart after striking rocks, according to the Greek Coast Guard and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. Survivors told authorities they had set out from the Libyan port of Tobruk. Two men were arrested on smuggling charges.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation, 65 migrants were discovered on the island of Gavdos, located south of Crete. One individual required medical assistance and was transported to a nearby hospital.
Addressing the issue in parliament, Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs Stefanos Gikas noted that Greek authorities have been grappling with a sharp increase in illegal migration since late 2023. Government officials have linked this surge to instability and conflict in the Middle East.
According to Gikas, 47,267 people entered Greece illegally in 2024 alone, while 625 individuals have been arrested on smuggling charges.
Greece has long been a key entry point for migrants and asylum seekers attempting to reach Europe. The latest incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by authorities as migration pressures persist.
(Source: Associated Press)