Greek authorities rescued 152 migrants in three separate operations south of Crete early Friday, October 23, as a series of new arrivals continued to place pressure on the island’s coast guard and reception facilities.
According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, all three boats were detected by an unmanned aircraft operated by the European border agency Frontex. The operations were coordinated by Greece’s Joint Rescue Coordination Center. The largest group, consisting of approximately 64 people, was located 50 nautical miles south-southeast of Kali Limenes, on Crete’s southern coast. A Frontex vessel rescued the passengers and transported them to the port.
In a second operation, a Coast Guard rescue boat picked up approximately 50 migrants eight nautical miles south of Kali Limenes. Another 38 people were rescued by a patrol vessel 7.5 nautical miles southeast of the same port.
All 152 migrants were brought safely ashore.
Repeated Rescues Over the Past Ten Days
Friday’s operations followed several similar incidents along Crete’s southern coastline.
On October 22, authorities rescued another 84 migrants in two operations south of Kali Limenes and Agia Galini. The boats, carrying approximately 50 and 34 people, were detected by Frontex drones. Two days earlier, on October 20, approximately 70 migrants were rescued 52 nautical miles south-southeast of Kali Limenes after a Frontex aircraft located their boat.
On October 19, Coast Guard officers found 42 migrants near the Loutra fishing shelter in southern Crete. The authorities also launched a search for a person reported missing. Earlier, on October 13, the Coast Guard reported operations involving 181 migrants near Ierapetra and another 45 south of Gavdos.
Crete Faces Continued Migration Pressure
Crete and nearby Gavdos have become important arrival points for migrants crossing the central Mediterranean, particularly from North Africa.The repeated operations have increased demands on the Coast Guard, Frontex and local authorities responsible for receiving and accommodating rescued migrants.
The latest arrivals come as authorities continue processing migrants brought ashore in recent days, with Kali Limenes, Agia Galini and other southern Cretan ports serving as disembarkation points.
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