Most of the people rescued by Greek authorities were on board a fishing boat near the island of Gavdos, south of Crete, at the time of assistance, according to ERT. The day was marked by a significant increase in rescue operations off the coast of Crete, where the Greek coast guard, in coordination with Frontex, intervened to help hundreds of migrants. According to ERT, the total number of people rescued in the last few hours is about 670, against the background of the increasing migratory flow towards the European continent via this route, favored in part by the current difficult weather conditions.
Greek authorities carried out at least three rescue operations in waters near Crete. According to the Greek public television ERT, these operations managed to bring to the mainland 209 migrants who were in different boats and exposed to the adversities of the sea. These operations complement those carried out on Friday in which the Greek Coast Guard rescued 460 more people, including women and minors, in several incidents in waters including near Crete.
The ERT media outlet reported that many of the rescued people were on board a single fishing boat traveling south of Gavdos. Given the precarious condition of the boat and the large number of occupants, the rescue teams carried out an operation that allowed the migrants to be safely evacuated and then transferred to the port where they received care and continued the relevant immigration procedures.
The situation is part of a recovery in migrant arrivals to Europe via the Eastern Mediterranean route, which has been particularly evident in recent weeks. The ERT media outlet stressed that the adverse weather conditions had complicated both the journey and the rescue efforts, creating a high-risk scenario for the migrants and a challenge for the teams responsible for their protection.
For its part, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that around 2,170 people have died or disappeared on the various Mediterranean migration routes so far in 2023. These figures highlight the ongoing humanitarian emergency and the grave danger faced by those trying to reach Europe, often using boats that are not suitable for long distances or transporting large groups of people.
The Greek Coast Guard and Frontex have worked in a coordinated manner to respond to the increasing migration flow and related incidents. The deployment of resources and the conduct of successive operations are aimed at reducing the risk of tragedies at sea and helping those who want to reach European territory, sometimes after long journeys and in difficult conditions.
According to Greek public television ERT, the presence of minors and women among the rescued people highlights the vulnerability of the groups making these journeys. Following the rescue operations, the authorities have prioritized both immediate health care and coordination with the bodies responsible for the reception and transit processes, following the protocols established for these cases.
The island of Crete has become one of the main alternative routes for migrants heading to Europe, a trend that authorities link to increased surveillance and barriers on other traditional access routes to the continent. ERT explained that the recent incidents are part of a dynamic characterized by the use of fishing vessels for the irregular transport of people, which is evidence of the practices of networks dedicated to migrant trafficking.
The severity of the phenomenon has also led to increased surveillance at both national and European levels. According to ERT and IOM, the operations of the last few days are part of a strategy of rapid response and humanitarian assistance in the face of a migratory flow that shows no signs of abating and, on the contrary, reflects the ongoing challenges in migration management in the region.
The humanitarian problem in the central and eastern Mediterranean remains a matter of international concern. The deaths and disappearances recorded by the IOM demonstrate the extent of the risks taken by those who undertake these journeys. According to the IOM, the number of victims so far highlights the urgent need to step up both rescue and protection and relief efforts, in a context where sea crossing remains a desperate option for thousands of people every year.
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