Crete boat tragedy: 12 migrants found dead, total of 20 killed in three days
Three rescue operations were conducted by the Hellenic Coast Guard and Frontex in the early hours of Monday off the Greek coast to rescue 18 people from a boat carrying migrants.
On three separate days, 12 migrants were found dead and a total of 20 people lost their lives in boat tragedies off the coast of Crete. The incidents occurred about 15 to 31 nautical miles southwest of Kaloi Limenes, a south Crete town.
Initially, a vessel of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) spotted a boat carrying 105 migrants and rescued 18 people. The same JRCC coordinated three search and rescue operations, which recovered the remaining bodies from the boats.
In addition to these incidents, two more rescue operations were carried out by the European Border and Frontex. The first operation located a boat with about 40 migrants 31 nautical miles southeast of Crete, and the second found a boat with 47 migrants 30 nautical miles south of Kaloi Limenes.
The survivors of the initial incident reported that two more people had fallen into the sea, leading to a further search effort. However, the bad weather with northerly winds made the rescue operations extremely dangerous. The final boat was located the following morning with seven more bodies on board, which were taken to Kaloi Limenes.
Two Sudanese nationals, aged 28 and 16, were arrested and charged with illegal entry, facilitating illegal entry, forming a criminal organization and fatal exposure. A total of about 105 people were rescued in the three operations, while twelve deaths were recorded.
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Also reported by 2 other outlets
- Greece: 12 bodies found aboard migrant boat south of Crete israelnationalnews.com
- Greek authorities find 12 bodies in a boat carrying migrants south of Crete; 18 people are rescued winnipegfreepress.com
