(Adnkronos) – Eighty-five migrants were rescued this morning off Crete during a “major search and rescue operation”. The Greek news agency Ana reported that the operation took place off Kali Limenes, in southern Crete, “under the coordination of the Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Center”. According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, the migrants were on board two dinghies, identified by a Frontex drone. “A Coast Guard patrol boat quickly reached the area and rescued the people on board. The approximately 85 rescued migrants are being safely transferred to the port of Kali Limenes, where the necessary registration and identification procedures will be carried out,” Ana reported. Hundreds of migrants have been rescued by Greek authorities off Crete in the last three days.
For over a year, Crete and the nearby island of Gavdos, located off the Libyan coast, have become the main entry point into Greece for asylum seekers. From there, migrants are transferred to centers distributed across various Aegean Sea islands, where their situation and asylum applications are examined, with a view to a possible transfer to mainland Greece or their expulsion. Crete currently has only one temporary reception facility for asylum seekers, but the ministry has promised the creation of a permanent reception center soon.
