Greek authorities have rescued 75 migrants from a stranded boat near Crete, believed to have departed from Libya. The migrants were picked up by a merchant vessel after issuing a distress call and are being taken to a port in southern Crete. This rescue highlights the increasing use of dangerous migration routes from North Africa to Europe, with over 3,500 people making the journey this year.
Tag: migration routes
Over the weekend, more than 230 migrants arrived on the Greek island of Crete from North Africa, highlighting a growing trend of Mediterranean crossings from Libya. With Crete emerging as a significant destination, the Greek government is considering setting up state-funded migrant processing centers. The migrants, mainly from Egypt, Sudan, and Bangladesh, face perilous journeys and steep smuggling fees. Greek authorities are preparing for an increase in arrivals due to regional conflicts.
Greece recorded the highest rate of first-time asylum seekers in the EU for June 2024, with 45.4 applicants per 100,000 residents, according to Eurostat. Despite a 17% drop in overall EU asylum applications compared to 2023, Greece continues to play a key role in managing migration, including receiving a significant number of unaccompanied minors.
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.