Authorities cite bad weather as Central Mediterranean remains world’s deadliest migration route At least 15…
Tag: Mediterranean migration
ROME – Italy’s government has approved a sweeping new bill that authorises a naval blockade…
Crete faced intense pressure from unabated irregular sea arrivals of undocumented migrants in 2025, with estimates reaching nearly 21,000 by year-end—a dramatic increase from previous years—primarily via the Libya-to-Crete route, overwhelming temporary facilities in Heraklion and Chania despite government measures.
Greek Coast Guard rescues 361 migrants from a fishing boat 35 nautical miles south of Gavdos on December 26, 2025; a Danish-flagged freighter transports them to Paleochora, Crete, with Frontex assistance. A separate group of 30 migrants was also saved nearby.
A 12-year-old migrant boy was killed by a boat propeller while reaching Samos, just hours after at least 18 migrants drowned in a shipwreck south of Crete, highlighting the ongoing dangers of Mediterranean crossings.
German outlet DIE ZEIT examines claims that Belarus and eastern Libya may be facilitating migration toward Greece, following the discovery of a boat carrying 18 dead migrants off Crete.
A deadly tragedy unfolded off the coast of Crete when an inflatable dinghy carrying 20 migrants sank, resulting in 18 deaths and only 2 survivors rescued. The semi-submerged boat was spotted by a Turkish-flagged cargo ship 26 nautical miles southwest of Chrysi island.
Migrant flows from North Africa to Crete continue, with three boats carrying over 100 people detected south of the island. Greek Coast Guard and FRONTEX vessels have rescued and are transferring the migrants to Ierapetra and Kali Limenes.
Two rescue operations coordinated by Greece’s Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (EKSED) saved a…
A total of 66 migrants have been rescued in two separate incidents off the southern…
At least 145 migrants were rescued in three separate operations south of Gavdos, with the Hellenic Coast Guard and Frontex ensuring their safe transfer to port.
In the past 24 hours, Greek authorities carried out three rescue operations in the southern seas, saving a total of 165 migrants traveling in dinghies near Gavdos and Kalamata. The coordinated efforts involved Coast Guard vessels, a Maltese-flagged tanker, and FRONTEX teams.
Frontex reports that the Western Balkan route for illegal entry into the EU has been almost completely shut down, with smugglers now exploiting new and deadlier paths, such as the Libya–Crete crossing.
The Hellenic Coast Guard rescued 63 migrants from a sailing vessel south of Tilos, coordinated by EKSED. The migrants were safely transported to Mandraki port in Rhodes for first aid and further processing.
A surge of migrants from Libya, orchestrated by warlord Khalifa Haftar, has overwhelmed Crete, prompting Greece to suspend asylum rights. Over 2,600 arrivals in early July strain the island’s resources, raising fears for its tourism industry and sparking a geopolitical clash over Mediterranean oil and gas.
Crete is grappling with an unprecedented migrant surge, with over 2,600 arrivals straining local resources. Starting today, authorities are transferring migrants from Rethymno to Piraeus via ferries for processing in mainland Reception Centers. A fishing vessel carrying 520 migrants was intercepted south of Gavdos, while hundreds more are housed in makeshift shelters in Chania and Rethymno. Local officials warn of an “unmanageable” crisis, urging government action as the Hellenic Red Cross provides critical aid.
Over 753 migrants were rescued in multiple operations south of Gavdos and in Gortyna, Heraklion, as the Greek Coast Guard and cargo ships responded to a surge in migrant arrivals. Rescues included 430 people from an overcrowded fishing boat, with others saved near Kala Limenas and on Crete’s beaches.
Germany halts funding for Mediterranean migrant sea rescues, redirecting resources to address migration causes in source countries, sparking debate over humanitarian impact.
A 7-year-old boy who went missing near the Greek islet of Farmakonisi has been found dead, days after disappearing during a migrant crossing. His body was recovered by the Turkish coast guard and identified by relatives rescued earlier by Greek authorities, highlighting the continued dangers faced by migrants in the Aegean Sea.
Greek authorities rescued 501 migrants from a distressed fishing vessel south of Crete, arresting four Egyptian traffickers. The operation uncovered a smuggling network, with investigations ongoing into organized trafficking rings.
The Greek island of Gavdos experienced an unprecedented surge in migrant arrivals on February 27, 2025, with seven separate landings occurring in a single day. Approximately 350 individuals, all young men, either reached the island’s shores or were rescued by the Hellenic Coast Guard. Authorities coordinated efforts to transport the migrants to Crete, highlighting the growing pressures on Greek border control and humanitarian response efforts as Mediterranean migration continues at a steady pace.
Greek authorities have rescued 66 migrants on the southern island of Crete after they arrived from Libya by boat, part of a growing trend of smuggling operations using the Mediterranean route. The group, which included minors and women, consisted of nationals from Bangladesh, Egypt, and Sudan. Three Egyptians were arrested on smuggling charges, while migrants reported paying $2,000 each for the dangerous journey. The incident is among several recent arrivals highlighting the challenges Greece faces as migration from North Africa to Europe increases.
In October 2024, the EU recorded 86,945 first-time asylum applications, a 24% drop from the previous year. Greece stood out with the highest per capita rate of applicants (79.4 per 100,000 people) and received 445 unaccompanied minors, highlighting its pivotal role in managing migration. Syrians remained the largest group of asylum seekers, while Germany, Spain, Italy, and France hosted the majority of applicants.
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 have recovered the bodies of four migrants after their boat sank off Rhodes in the Aegean Sea. A search-and-rescue operation is ongoing, with 25 survivors located on land. Greece continues to be a key entry point for migrants seeking to reach the European Union.
Early Wednesday, the Coast Guard rescued 52 migrants in the sea region of Kali Limenes, Crete. The migrants, from Sudan and Egypt, had called for help from a dinghy using emergency number 112. A Coast Guard vessel quickly responded, bringing them to Kali Limenes before transferring them to Heraklio for further assistance.
A cruise ship rescued 77 migrants from a distressed sailboat off the southwestern coast of Greece, Greek authorities announced Tuesday. The Maltese-flagged cargo ship initially spotted the boat 112 nautical miles southwest of Pylos.
