The Greek coast guard reported on Monday that 22 migrants had died off the island of Crete in the past two days. The deaths occurred after a boat carrying migrants from Libya sank off the southern coast of the island, which is a major entry point into the European Union. Twelve bodies were initially found on the boat, with a 13th body discovered later. Eighteen people were rescued but one of them died in hospital, bringing the total death toll to 14.
The Greek authorities have warned of a potential migration crisis on the island of Crete. The coast guard reported that eight people had died in the same area on Sunday, with 28 survivors rescued. The operation to rescue the migrants was made difficult by bad weather conditions, with strong winds making it hard to reach the boat. The migrants had set off from Libya on November 3 or 4, according to the survivors.
The Greek government has announced that it is preparing for a crisis on the island of Crete, with an increase in migrant arrivals in recent weeks. The migration minister, Thanos Plevris, said that the number of arrivals had increased significantly since July, with around 1,700 people arriving in the first three days of November. He blamed the Libyan authorities for not cooperating to stop the migrant boats.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has expressed concern about the increase in migrant arrivals off the coast of Crete. The organization has highlighted the need for better search and rescue capabilities to prevent further tragedies. The Greek coast guard reported that 105 people had been rescued on Monday in three separate operations.
The Greek authorities have arrested two Sudanese nationals aged 28 and 16 on suspicion of people trafficking. The two men were identified by other migrants as the alleged smugglers. The incident highlights the risks faced by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe.
The Greek government has announced plans to open a new temporary accommodation facility near Heraklion, the main city on the island of Crete. The move is aimed at addressing the pressure on the island, which does not have existing migrant camps. The facility will provide temporary housing for migrants who have been rescued or have arrived on the island.
The incident off the coast of Crete is the latest in a series of migrant tragedies in the Mediterranean. The Greek authorities have called for increased cooperation from the Libyan authorities to prevent further migrant boats from setting off. The European Union has also been urged to provide more support to Greece and other countries affected by the migration crisis.
Key points
- Greek authorities report 22 migrant deaths off Crete island in two days.
