Nearly 40 migrants were rescued from a small boat off the coast of Crete
Off the southern coast of Crete, a merchant ship rescued 38 migrants. Their small boat had found itself in a dangerous situation while attempting to reach the Greek island from North Africa.
This was reported by Ekathimerini.
This rescue operation took place as Crete has become a major destination for people from the Middle East and Africa seeking to reach Greece as a first step toward a better life in the prosperous heart of Europe.
The migrants were discovered by a Liberian-flagged tanker 17 miles south of the islet of Chrysi off the southern coast of Crete following a search-and-rescue operation launched by the coast guard.
They were to be transported to the southeastern port of Ierapetra.
According to the United Nations, nearly 2,500 people have arrived in Crete this year, having set out from eastern Libya in small boats provided by smuggling gangs. This is more than at any other point of arrival in Greece and accounts for about half of all those who have arrived by sea since January 1, although this route is much longer and riskier than the more common route from Turkey to the eastern Greek islands in the Aegean Sea.
In total, about 6,700 migrants have entered Greece illegally this year.
Greek officials say coast guard officers have been sent to Libya to try to persuade local authorities to limit the flow of migrants.
As a reminder, more than 90 migrants were rescued near the Greek island of Crete.
Italian authorities detained a rescue vessel belonging to the German non-governmental organization Sea-Watch. This occurred after the vessel brought dozens of migrants to safety.
Belgian police dismantled a migrant smuggling ring that operated across three countries.
