A tragic maritime disaster unfolded off the southern coast of Crete, Greece’s largest island, claiming the lives of at least five migrants and leaving around 20 others missing. The incident occurred early Saturday morning when a wooden boat carrying migrants capsized approximately 15 nautical miles south of the coastal village of Kala Limena.
Greek Coast Guard officials reported that the vessel, overloaded with passengers, lost balance during a rescue attempt. Two commercial ships dispatched by the National Search and Rescue Center approached the boat. As migrants tried to climb aboard using a ladder lowered from one of the ships, the boat tilted sharply to one side and overturned.
A Panama-flagged cargo ship managed to rescue 20 individuals from the turbulent waters. Hellenic Coast Guard vessels and ships from the European Union’s Frontex border agency recovered three bodies initially, with two more discovered later in the sea. Survivors informed rescuers that nearly 50 people were aboard the ill-fated boat, raising fears that the death toll could climb higher.
Search and rescue operations are in full swing, involving coast guard ships, passing commercial vessels, a helicopter, and a military aircraft. The perilous waters south of Crete have become a deadly route for migrants seeking entry into Europe.
This incident underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean. Greece has served as a primary gateway for irregular migrants into the EU since 2015, with over a million arrivals in the past decade. Hundreds have perished in similar sea crossings, and dozens more in the Evros River region bordering Turkey.
Earlier this month, Greek authorities found two migrant bodies along the Evros River, aged around 20 and 35. Authorities continue to monitor these dangerous migration paths, but such tragedies persist amid desperate journeys.