In yet another tragic incident highlighting the ongoing crisis of irregular migration across the Mediterranean, a Greek coast guard official announced that 18 migrants died after their boat capsized off the Greek coast. The incident occurred approximately 40 kilometers (25 nautical miles) south of the island of Krisi, a small, uninhabited island south of the larger island of Crete.
Details of the rescue operation and the tragedy
According to official information, only two people survived this horrific incident, highlighting the scale of the disaster and the difficult circumstances the victims faced. The tragedy began to unfold when a Turkish cargo ship sailing in the area first spotted the distressed boat. The Turkish ship's crew immediately alerted the Greek authorities, prompting a swift response from rescue teams.
The two survivors were transported by a Greek Air Force helicopter to the island of Crete to receive necessary medical care, as survivors in such incidents often suffer from dehydration, psychological trauma, and a sharp drop in body temperature as a result of being in the water for long periods.
Background to the Aegean migration crisis
This incident adds to a long and tragic record of drownings in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. Greece is one of the main gateways for migrants and refugees from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, seeking to reach European Union countries in search of a better life or to escape armed conflict.
Although the number of migrants has decreased compared to the peak of the crisis in 2015 and 2016, attempts to cross have not stopped. Smugglers often resort to using dilapidated boats, either rubber or old wooden ones, ill-equipped to withstand the rough seas and strong winds for which this maritime region is known, especially in the open areas south of the Greek islands.
Regional risks and challenges
This incident highlights the immense dangers faced by migrants during their sea journeys. The area south of Crete and Cressi is characterized by strong currents and great depths, making search and rescue operations extremely difficult and reducing the chances of survival in the event of a boat capsizing.
Greek authorities, with the support of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), face ongoing challenges in monitoring their vast maritime borders. These recurring incidents have prompted persistent calls from international human rights and humanitarian organizations for safe passage for migrants and for intensified rescue efforts to reduce the loss of life that has turned the Mediterranean Sea into a virtual open graveyard.
