In a grim reminder of the perilous journey many refugees undertake, Greek authorities confirmed that at least 21 people lost their lives while attempting to reach the island of Crete, a major entry point for migrants heading to Europe.
On Monday, the Greek coastguard rescued 18 individuals and recovered 12 bodies from a single vessel spotted by a Morocco‑flagged container ship south of Crete. The survivors were taken to shore, while one of the rescued was later admitted to a hospital and subsequently died. The cause of the fatalities remains unclear, though officials suggested the boat may have been adrift for days, battling strong winds that impeded its progress.
Earlier in the week, another incident off southern Crete saw the coastguard recover eight bodies and rescue 28 refugees and migrants. Two people remain missing. In addition, two other boats—one carrying roughly 47 people and another with about 40—were found sailing south of the island, though their status was not immediately reported.
Frontex, the European Union’s border agency, played a key role in locating the vessels, deploying both aircraft and unmanned drones before escorting survivors to a southern port on Crete. The agency noted that irregular border crossings into the EU have dropped by a third this year, with 31,800 crossings recorded in the first nine months of 2026—a 15 percent decline compared with the same period last year.
Crete’s position as a gateway for those fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The recent incidents highlight the urgent need for coordinated rescue efforts and comprehensive policies to address the root causes driving people to risk their lives at sea.
Source: Al Jazeera
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