Greece Rescues Nearly 540 Asylum Seekers Off Crete Coast
Greek authorities have rescued nearly 540 asylum seekers from a fishing boat south of the island of Crete, the country’s coastguard announced.
Rescue Operation Near Gavdos
The coastguard said rescue teams located the vessel about 16 nautical miles (29.6 kilometres) south of Gavdos, a small island near Crete. The operation took place on Friday as part of an ongoing maritime search effort.
As soon as crews reached the boat, they safely transferred all passengers and provided immediate assistance.
Asylum Claims to Be Processed
Following the rescue, officials confirmed that all rescued individuals will have their asylum claims processed under Greek and European Union procedures.
However, authorities did not disclose the boat’s point of departure or the nationalities of those on board.
Continued Pressure on Migration Routes
The incident highlights continued pressure along Mediterranean migration routes, particularly near southern Greece. In response, the coastguard said it remains on alert to carry out further rescue missions when needed.
Officials added that protecting lives at sea remains a top priority.
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