Greek coastguard says two survivors in important situation have been hospitalised.
Printed On 7 Dec 2025
The our bodies of at the least 17 migrants and asylum seekers have been present in {a partially} deflated boat off the Greek island of Crete, based on the nation’s coastguard.
The victims, in addition to two survivors, have been found on Saturday, some 26 nautical miles (48km) southwest of Crete.
Really useful Tales
checklist of 4 gadgetsfinish of checklist
A spokeswoman for the Greek coastguard informed the AFP information company that the entire victims have been males.
“Two survivors in important situation have been hospitalised,” the spokeswoman added. “Autopsies need to be carried out because the circumstances of the sinking should not identified.”
The Athens Information Company reported that the boat was noticed by a Turkish cargo ship, which alerted the authorities. The Greek coastguard rushed two vessels to the scene, whereas the European Union’s border company Frontex despatched a ship, an plane and a Tremendous Puma helicopter to assist in the rescue effort.
The coastguard mentioned that the 2 survivors had mentioned their vessel had turn out to be unstable due to unhealthy climate, and so they had no option to cowl up, nor to eat or drink something.
The boat had additionally been taking up water when it was found.
Manolis Frangoulis, the mayor of Cretan port Ierapetra, informed reporters that each one the victims had been younger.
“The vessel the migrants have been on was deflated on two sides, which pressured the passengers right into a lowered house,” he added.
Coroners are trying on the risk that the migrants died of dehydration, Greek state tv channel ERT reported.
Over the past 12 months, migrants and asylum seekers have turned their consideration to the Greek island of Crete, within the japanese Mediterranean Sea, as a means of reaching EU territory from Libya, in North Africa.
Based on the United Nations refugee company, UNHCR, greater than 16,770 individuals searching for asylum within the EU have arrived there for the reason that begin of the 12 months.
In July, Greece’s conservative authorities, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, suspended asylum hearings for migrants, notably focusing on these arriving on Crete from Libya.
Libya has been gripped by battle for the reason that 2011 overthrow and killing of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed rebellion.
