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.
Tag: migrant crisis
Beachgoers on Gavdos shocked viewers after pushing a migrant boat back to sea. The small island, overwhelmed by arrivals from Libya, is now at the center of Greece’s migration crisis
Greek authorities have dismantled a smuggling ring that carried out “ghost landings” on remote beaches in Evia, secretly bringing in migrants from Turkey to mainland Greece.
Libya’s coast guard opened fire on the humanitarian rescue ship Ocean Viking while it searched for a migrant boat in distress in the Mediterranean, SOS Mediterranee said. The ship sustained damage but no casualties were reported.
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.
Libyan coast guard officers have begun training in Crete as part of a Greek-led initiative to curb rising migrant flows from North Africa. The program, which includes patrol and rescue operations, reflects efforts to strengthen ties between Greece and both Libyan administrations amid ongoing regional tensions.
Greece’s Immigration Minister Thanos Plevris delivers a blunt message to migrants: “Don’t come here. We’ll jail or deport you.” As Crete faces a surge of arrivals, a new hardline law suspends asylum claims, aiming to curb illegal migration with prison or deportation.
Greece’s New Democracy government has suspended asylum applications from North African migrants for three months, amid a 350% surge in arrivals to Crete. The EU-backed measure, part of a broader anti-migrant bill, extends detention periods and imposes harsh penalties, as Greece struggles with limited EU support to manage escalating migrant flows.
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.
In the quiet coastal village of Agia Galini, Crete, tensions boiled over last night as 150 migrants arrived at the port under Frontex escort. Local residents, frustrated by the island’s strained resources, blocked buses meant to transport the newcomers, sparking a standoff. With over 1,200 migrants landing on Crete in just 48 hours, the island grapples with a deepening crisis amid a heatwave and limited infrastructure. The mayor is set to address the unrest today as more arrivals are reported in Paleochora and Kaloi Limenes.
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.
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.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has sharply criticised Libya’s role in escalating migrant arrivals to Greece, particularly highlighting the actions of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s government.
Greek authorities rescued 425 migrants in two operations south of Gavdos. A Frontex vessel and Coast Guard saved 352 from a wooden dinghy, while 73 others were spotted by a drone and relocated to Crete.
In a historic moment for Greece, the chant of “Christos Anesti” rang through St. Peter’s Basilica at Pope Francis’ funeral, echoing his dream of unity between Catholics and Orthodox Christians. Following Pope John Paul II, Francis was only the second pontiff to visit Athens, forging ties during Greece’s economic and migrant crises. From the Great Schism of 1054 to modern diplomacy, their visits marked a journey of reconciliation, with Francis’ 2016 and 2021 trips to Lesbos underscoring solidarity and peace.
“Greece is a serious state and controls its borders” – “It builds a wall, carries…
A violent clash erupted at the migrant accommodation centre in Malakasa late last night, involving around 60 to 70 people. Sixteen individuals were injured, with nine requiring hospitalization. The majority of the injured, aged between 15 and 25, are of Egyptian origin. The police are investigating the cause of the confrontation, though the reasons behind the fight remain unclear.
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.
Greece’s Migration Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos pledged to ease pressure on Samos by accelerating migrant transfers to the mainland and increasing returns of rejected asylum seekers. During his visit, he emphasised security and cooperation with Frontex while acknowledging ongoing challenges despite a recent drop in arrivals. Meanwhile, Greek authorities rescued 82 migrants off Crete, highlighting the continued risks of irregular migration.
A Greek Ombudsman inquiry has found that the Hellenic Coast Guard failed to follow maritime rescue protocols in the 2023 Adriana shipwreck, one of the Mediterranean’s deadliest migrant disasters. The report, which confirms survivors’ testimonies, reveals that authorities monitored the overcrowded trawler for 15 hours without escalating it to a distress situation, delaying rescue efforts. Disciplinary action has been recommended against eight coast guard officers, while a naval court investigates potential criminal liability. The findings raise further concerns over Greece’s handling of migration crises and adherence to international maritime law.
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.
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.
In the aftermath of a tragic incident on December 20th, involving a Hellenic Coast Guard…
The death toll of Pakistanis in the tragic Greece boat capsize has risen to 40, with many victims being minors and teenagers from Punjab province. The Pakistani government has launched an investigation and crackdown on human trafficking networks, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif demands urgent action to prevent future tragedies.
A tragic incident occurred late Saturday when a migrant boat sank off the coast of…
The United Nations refugee agency has expressed deep concern over a recent surge in migrant deaths in Greek waters. This week alone, two fatal shipwrecks claimed the lives of multiple individuals attempting to reach Greece by sea from Turkey in small boats.
Greece is considering establishing a migrant detention facility on the island of Rhodes to manage a recent spike in arrivals from Turkey. With over 5,500 migrants landing on Rhodes this year, many have resorted to makeshift shelters in public spaces, sparking local concerns. Migration Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos announced plans to consult with the community and move forward with the facility, which would help relieve overcrowded island camps and ease pressure on local resources.
In a tragic incident near a Greek island, a migrant boat capsized in rough weather, resulting in the rescue of 22 individuals while two passengers were confirmed dead. The ongoing crisis highlights the perilous journeys migrants undertake to reach the European Union.
Greek authorities have recovered the bodies of two migrants after their boat sank off the island of Samos in the Aegean Sea. Twenty-two other passengers were rescued, and the operation has concluded. Greece, a key gateway for migrants during the 2015-2016 crisis, has seen a resurgence in migrant crossings, particularly along a new southern route via the island of Gavdos.
A Greek official criticized the outgoing European Commission for its failure to establish a cohesive migration policy, emphasizing that ongoing wars and climate change are driving global displacement. Deputy Minister Sofia Voultepsi highlighted the shortcomings of the recent EU migration pact, calling for a unified system for asylum, returns, and integration. As Greece remains a key entry point for migrants, she expressed concern over increasing refugee numbers from conflict zones, while broader European policies, including those in Italy and Poland, continue to evolve amid the ongoing crisis.
