Greek Coast Guard Rescues 79 Migrants Including Bangladeshis Near Crete
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Greek coast guard authorities rescued 79 migrants, including citizens from Bangladesh and war-torn Sudan, near the island of Crete in the southern Mediterranean on Tuesday. The operation follows a recent surge in maritime rescues in the area, which has become a primary entry point for asylum seekers.
A coast guard spokesperson confirmed that the rescue was initiated after a European Union drone spotted two vessels near the port of Kali Limenes. Officials reported that at least two women and two children were among those saved. While initial reports from the Greek news agency ANA suggested a total of 85 people, authorities later clarified the official count to 79.
Crete and the nearby island of Gavdos, located approximately 320 kilometers (200 miles) from the Libyan coast, have emerged as critical transit corridors for migrants. Despite this, Greek government statistics indicate an overall decline in arrivals. Data released Tuesday show that migrant entries dropped by approximately 31 percent over the past year, falling from roughly 61,000 in the year ending August 2025 to 42,000 in the subsequent twelve-month period.
The reduction in migration comes as European authorities tighten border regulations in response to rising public support for right-wing, anti-immigration political factions. To curb illegal crossings, the European Union has intensified cooperation with various transit nations, including Libya.
Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has maintained a stringent policy regarding border control. Furthermore, the Greek government is exploring a new initiative to establish return hubs outside of European Union territory. Athens is currently engaged in discussions with Germany and several other EU member states regarding the implementation of these facilities to streamline the processing and repatriation of asylum seekers.
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