Minst 22 dead migrants found south of Crete
Greek coast guard and rescue services recovered 22 dead migrants from two boats south of Crete, according to AP and Greek media reports.
One child was carried ashore by the Greek coast guard in Kaloi Limenes on November 9.
Rescue operations ran simultaneously in the area. The boat the child arrived on remains unidentified.
Official records show no confirmed information regarding the boy’s age, nationality, or health condition. Later photographs show the child sitting on a woman’s arm, according to Reuters.
Rescue operations discover 187 survivors
A Moroccan-registered cargo ship spotted a migrant boat roughly 28 kilometers south of Crete. The Greek coast guard found 13 dead bodies on board. Survivors stated the vessel had spent multiple days at sea without fuel, food, or drinking water.
One of the 18 individuals found alive died later at a local medical facility, AP reported. An anonymous coast guard worker told Reuters they found the survivors shivering from the cold.
A second boat yielded eight additional migrant fatalities. Two people remain missing from that crossing. European Union border agency Frontex participated in the operations.
Three additional boats carrying roughly 187 people were found in the same sector. Frontex vessel Valpas arrived in Kaloi Limenes carrying rescued passengers.
Two suspects arrested for smuggling
Greek authorities apprehended two Sudanese nationals aged 16 and 28. Police suspect the pair organized the crossing that resulted in 14 deaths.
The maritime route from Libya to Crete has become one of the most important migration routes into the European Union. Frontex data indicates this stretch was the busiest section of the eastern Mediterranean route during the first nine months of the year.
Migrants die in maritime incidents near Crete
How many migrants died off the coast of Crete?
At least 22 migrants died across two separate maritime incidents south of Crete. The Greek coast guard and rescue services recovered the bodies following multi-day journeys.
What role did Frontex play in the rescue?
The European Union border agency Frontex deployed assets including the vessel Valpas to assist the Greek coast guard in rescue operations.
Who was arrested in connection with the crossings?
Greek authorities arrested two Sudanese citizens aged 16 and 28 on suspicion of organizing one of the fatal crossings.
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