Surge in migrant arrivals off the coast of Crete

Between August 12 and 14, 2026, Greek authorities rescued 574 migrants in nine separate search and rescue operations in the sea area south of Crete. The operations, coordinated by the Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Center (EKSED), were triggered primarily by aerial surveillance from Frontex drones, which located numerous inflatable vessels ranging from 21 to 60 nautical miles from Kaloi Limenes.

Following the identification of these vessels, the Hellenic Coast Guard deployed patrol boats to retrieve the individuals and transport them to the ports of Kaloi Limenes and Agia Galini. The surge in arrivals, which included 147 people on the first day and 200 in a single day thereafter, underscores the ongoing intensity of migratory flows from the African coast toward Crete and Gavdos. Coastal authorities remain on high alert as the volume of rescue operations continues to increase significantly.