Rescue operations for migrants off Crete and Gavdos

Over the course of two days, approximately 400 migrants reached Crete, including 202 individuals rescued during four distinct maritime operations. The Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) oversaw these operations, which involved vessels and aerial assets from Frontex and the Hellenic Coast Guard. The incidents occurred at distances ranging from 16 to 53 nautical miles off the coast of Crete and Gavdos. One specific operation, coordinated by the JRCC, resulted in the rescue of 63 individuals located 16 nautical miles south of Gavdos by a Frontex aerial unit. In the broader regional context, 104 migrants were transported to Kali Limenes in Heraklion, while 99 were taken to the port of Gavdos. The operations were conducted under favorable weather conditions. The spike in arrivals has raised concerns regarding migration patterns in the region.