Greek authorities reported the rescue of over 170 migrants in the past three days, with most found off the southern coast of Greece, an increasingly popular route for traffickers. Authorities are noting a rising number of arrivals from Libya, with many choosing the perilous journey to Greece’s islands, including Crete and Gavdos.
Tag: coast guard
A tragic accident occurred early Friday morning in Marina Faliro when a motorcyclist was fatally struck by a reversing crane truck. The rider, who was behind the vehicle, was severely injured and rushed to Tzaneio Hospital but later died from cardiac arrest. Despite efforts by rescue teams and the Coast Guard, the motorcyclist could not be saved. Authorities are investigating the incident, which occurred while the crane truck driver was maneuvering.
Official figures show that 446 irregular migrants have entered the EU via Greek waters since the start of the year. The majority were intercepted off Crete, having departed from Libya, while others arrived from the Turkish coast.
On a Sunday morning, a Coast Guard patrol vessel identified and rescued an inflatable boat carrying 30 migrants northeast of Samos. The passengers, which included men, women, and minors, were safely transported to the port of Malagari and handed over to police authorities for further transfer to a migrant facility.
In the early hours of yesterday morning, Friday, December 27, 2024, the Port Authority of…
A Hellenic Coast Guard officer was injured during a high-speed chase with a speedboat involved in migrant smuggling near Agrilia, Lesvos. The pursuit led to the arrest of two operators and the detention of 30 foreign nationals.
A dramatic pursuit unfolded off the coast of Lesvos when a Greek Coast Guard patrol boat intercepted a speedboat suspected of smuggling migrants. The chase turned dangerous as the smugglers’ vessel rammed the Coast Guard boat, injuring an officer. Two Turkish nationals were arrested, while 30 migrants were located and transferred to a reception center. Authorities are investigating the incident, highlighting the ongoing challenges of combating human trafficking in the Aegean Sea.
A 27-year-old man tragically died after his car plunged into the Amvrakikos Gulf near Amfilochia early on Sunday. Authorities launched a search after his family reported him missing, and his body was later found in the submerged vehicle. The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the accident, with forensic results pending.
Piraeus, Greece – A 60-year-old Greek Chief Engineer was found deceased in his cabin aboard…
Eight migrants died and 18 were rescued after their speedboat capsized off the coast of Rhodes, Greece, while reportedly attempting to evade the Coast Guard. A search continues for any remaining missing persons.
At least five migrants have died, dozens are missing, and over 200 have been rescued in a series of operations near the Greek island of Crete, the Coast Guard reported. Multiple vessels, helicopters, and international forces, including the Italian Navy and Frontex, are involved in ongoing rescue efforts following separate incidents driven by the surge in migration linked to Middle Eastern conflicts.
A 25-year-old British man died while diving in Vouliagmeni, Greece. His diving instructor and assistant have been arrested as authorities investigate the incident.
A high-speed chase off the coast of Lesvos ended with the arrest of two Turkish nationals accused of smuggling 32 migrants. Hellenic Coast Guard vessels pursued the speedboat after it failed to respond to signals, eventually intercepting it and apprehending the smugglers and migrants.
Authorities in Piraeus seized 51 kilograms of cocaine valued at over €2.3 million, hidden in the cooling machinery of a banana container from South America. The discovery, made with the help of a detection dog, was part of a joint operation involving customs officials, the Coast Guard, and anti-narcotics teams.
Two Russian traffickers have been sentenced to a total of 380 years in prison and fined €3.8 million for smuggling 74 illegal immigrants into Greece. The migrants, including children, were discovered on a sailboat near Astypalaia in September 2023. The traffickers were found guilty of endangering lives and illegally transporting the migrants for profit. This significant ruling underscores Greece’s commitment to combating human trafficking in the Mediterranean.
Greek authorities are continuing the search for a missing child off the island of Samos after a migrant boat ran aground on a rocky shore. The boat, carrying 46 migrants, including 21 children, struck the rocks on Sunday. While most passengers made it to safety, a child was reported lost in the water, sparking a second day of search efforts by divers and coast guard patrols.
A speedboat coming from the Turkish coasts was spotted moving at high speed towards Lesvos and was pursued by three patrol boats of the Hellenic Coast Guard. After a dramatic chase, passengers disembarked on shore, leading to the arrest of two individuals identified as traffickers. A total of 21 foreign nationals were found and taken to a Reception and Identification Center. The investigation is ongoing.
A coordinated rescue operation successfully saved 97 migrants from a vessel off the coast of Katakolo. Spotted 76 nautical miles southwest in the Gulf of Kyparissia, the migrants were safely transported to Katakolo's port under favorable weather conditions.
A passenger ship has become stuck in shallow waters near Igoumenitsa, prompting a response from the Coast Guard. The vessel is filled with passengers, and efforts are being made to resolve the situation safely
A Hellenic Air Force Super Puma helicopter played a crucial role in rescuing two individuals who had fallen overboard from a migrant vessel carrying 40 undocumented migrants. The rescue operations took place west of Samos, following reports to the Coast Guard about the incident near Plaka beach. The helicopter successfully located and retrieved the individuals, transporting them to Chios for further assistance, while the Samos port authority is conducting a preliminary investigation into the incident.