Greek authorities rescue nearly 150 migrants within 24-hour period

Greek authorities have successfully rescued nearly 150 migrants attempting to reach the country by sea over a 24-hour period. In one of the largest single boatloads of recent months, 115 people were crammed into a vessel that was found in distress off the island of Lesvos.

The Greek coast guard intercepted the vessel and safely transported the passengers, including 67 men, 27 women, and 21 children, to a migrant reception centre on Lesvos. Unfortunately, the boat sank shortly after the rescue operation.

Smugglers have been targeting Greek islands closer to the Turkish coast for some time. However, in recent months, they have increasingly opted for longer routes from Libya to Crete and through the central Aegean Sea, where patrols are less stringent.

In addition to the Lesvos incident, the coast guard rescued 25 men and seven boys from a boat in distress south of Crete. The migrants reported spending three days at sea after departing from eastern Libya. Two individuals were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the smuggling operation.

According to the United Nations refugee agency, Greece has seen an influx of nearly 30,000 migrants this year, slightly fewer than Italy and Spain. The majority of these individuals are from Afghanistan, Syria, and Egypt.

While the number of illegal arrivals in Greece has decreased compared to the post-pandemic surge in 2023, the country continues to face significant challenges in managing migrant flows.