Greek coast guard rescues hundreds of migrants, as Libya-Crete route becomes busier

The Greek authorities have rescued hundreds of migrants in a series of operations off the southern islands of Crete and Gavdos since Friday (July 4), according to the country’s coast guard.

The recent increase in migrant crossings from Libya to the Greek Islands, specifically from Tobruk to Gavdos and Crete, is raising questions about whether this route is becoming an increasingly important migration corridor.

On Sunday (July 6) alone, over 430 migrants were rescued about 25 nautical miles off Gavdos, Greece’s southernmost island. In another incident the same day, the EU border agency Frontex picked up 96 migrants aboard two boats near Crete. All were taken to Crete for processing and temporary accommodation.

In total, around 750 migrants arrived in Crete over the weekend, most having departed from the Libyan port city of Tobruk. Several of these rescues involved cargo ships that had picked up migrants at sea and transferred them to Greek authorities. On Friday (July 4), 44 people landed on Gavdos, and on Sunday (July 6) morning, 236 more arrived at various points along Crete’s southern coast.

Crete sees 350 percent increase in migrant arrivals

Greek Maritime Affairs Minister Vasilis Kikilias said that the number of migrant arrivals in Crete has risen by 350 percent compared to last year. According to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), more than 16,800 migrants have reached Greece by sea so far this year, with over 7,000 arriving in Crete alone.

The increasing traffic along the Tobruk-to-Crete route is turning it into an important corridor for migrants from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, from countries such as Egypt and Bangladesh, including those fleeing conflict in Sudan.

Cretan media reports suggest that smugglers charge up to 6,000 euros per person for the dangerous journey, which spans around 330 kilometers.

Greek media on Sunday released footage showing dozens of migrants jumping off a speedboat near the coast of southern Crete before swimming ashore. 

With Gavdos lacking proper facilities to host large numbers of people – the island is home to under 100 permanent residents – most rescued migrants are transferred to Crete, where they are temporarily housed in municipal buildings.

Greek, Libyan leaders to hold talks on migration control

The growing number of arrivals has prompted both national and international responses. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis visited Benghazi, eastern Libya on Sunday to hold talks on migration with military commander Khalifa Haftar, who holds the power in this area.

“We will continue our undisturbed relationship… and we hope that in the near future we will have tangible results for the progress of our relations,” Gerapetritis was quoted by his ministry as saying after meeting Haftar.

The Greek foreign minister is also expected to hold talks with Libya’s UN-recognized government in Tripoli later in July. Greece has also announced the deployment of two navy frigates near Libyan waters in the hopes of deterring migrant departures and smuggling activities.

EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner is set to visit Tripoli this week, alongside officials from Greece, Malta, and Italy, to engage with the Libyan government on strengthening migration controls and combating human smuggling networks

With AFP, Reuters and dpa