Mediterranean Horror: Refugee Boat Capsizes Off Crete
Three migrants have died after a refugee boat capsized off the southern coast of Crete, marking another deadly incident along the increasingly dangerous Mediterranean migration route.
The accident occurred Friday in waters near Kaloi Limenes, south of Crete. According to Greek port police, at least 20 people were rescued by a nearby merchant ship. Greek broadcaster ERT reported that around 50 migrants were believed to have been on board the wooden vessel when it overturned.
The migrants were reportedly mainly from Egypt and Sudan, including four minors. The tragedy unfolded as the merchant ship, dispatched by the Greek Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, approached the boat. While passengers attempted to climb ladders lowered from the larger vessel, a sudden shift in weight caused the overcrowded boat to capsize.
Search and rescue operations continued into Saturday. Greek authorities deployed four patrol boats, an aircraft and two vessels from Frontex (European Border and Coast Guard Agency) to search for missing persons. At least one child was reported missing as efforts intensified in the area.
In a separate incident, another boat carrying approximately 40 migrants was spotted nearby, prompting an additional rescue mission. For more than a year, growing numbers of migrants have attempted the perilous journey from Libya to Crete, now considered a key gateway to the European Union.
According to the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), more than 16,770 asylum seekers arrived on Crete in 2025 alone, significantly more than on other Aegean islands. The agency recorded 107 deaths or missing persons in Greek waters last year, underlining the continuing human toll of Mediterranean crossings.