Forty-two individuals have been rescued while three remain missing after a distress call was made by a boat believed to be carrying migrants in the Mediterranean south of the Greek island of Crete, according to the Greek coast guard.
The Italian coast guard alerted Greek authorities overnight about a boat in distress located 27 nautical miles (31 miles, 50 kilometers) south of Crete. Ships in the area managed to rescue 40 people, with an additional two individuals saved by a Greek navy helicopter.
Survivors have reported that three others are still unaccounted for, prompting ongoing search and rescue efforts in the region. The type of vessel and the reason behind the distress call remain unclear at this time.
Greece serves as a key entry point into the European Union for individuals escaping conflict and poverty in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. While many migrants typically arrive on the eastern Aegean Sea islands from Turkey, some opt for the longer and riskier route from North Africa to Italy through the Mediterranean.
Overloaded boats often encounter mechanical issues or veer off course, leading them to end up near southern or Western Greece. In a tragic incident in June 2023, an overcrowded fishing trawler departing from Libya sank off the western Greek coast, resulting in an estimated 500 fatalities. Approximately 100 individuals were rescued, while fewer than 80 bodies were recovered.
