Seventeen dead in migrant boat tragedy off crete
Seventeen migrants, all men, were found dead on Saturday after their boat sank south of the Greek island of Crete, Greek coast guard officials told AFP. Two survivors in critical condition were hospitalized. Autopsies are planned as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident.
The vessel, located 26 nautical miles southwest of Crete, was partially deflated and taking on water when discovered. A Turkish-flagged cargo ship first spotted the boat and alerted Greek authorities. Rescue efforts involved Greek coast guard vessels, a Frontex ship, three passing ships, a Super Puma helicopter, and a Frontex aircraft.
The survivors reported that the boat became unstable due to bad weather, and passengers lacked shelter, food, and water. According to the mayor of Ierapetra, Manolis Frangoulis, all victims were young, and overcrowding in the deflated boat contributed to the tragedy.
Migrants have increasingly attempted to reach Crete from Libya over the past year, often facing perilous conditions. According to the UN Refugee Agency, more than 16,770 asylum seekers arrived in Crete this year, exceeding arrivals on other Aegean islands. In July, the Greek government temporarily suspended asylum processing for people arriving in Crete from Libya, citing rising migration flows.
The incident recalls a similar tragedy in June 2023, when an overloaded fishing boat from Tobruk sank off the Peloponnese, leaving more than 750 people at risk, with only 104 survivors recovered.
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