Over 160 migrants rescued south of Gavdos in separate operations

On August 21 and 22, 2026, Greek authorities and international partners conducted search and rescue operations for migrants in the sea area south of the island of Gavdos. On August 21, drones operated by the EU border agency Frontex identified three separate boats carrying a total of approximately 131 people, ranging from groups of 43 to 88 individuals. These passengers were recovered by Frontex vessels and transported to the port of Paliochora in Crete.

Following these incidents, an additional boat carrying approximately 33 migrants was located on August 22, situated 16 nautical miles south of Gavdos. This group was rescued by a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker passing through the area and subsequently taken to the port of Gavdos. The weather conditions during the first operations were reported as favorable, while the Saturday operation occurred amid winds of 4 to 5 Beaufort from the northwest.

These successive arrivals mark a notable increase in maritime migration activity in the southern Aegean region. Local port authorities coordinated the response efforts to ensure the safety of all individuals involved. No reports of injuries or missing persons were disclosed, and the migrants have been processed in accordance with regional protocols.