Coast guard rescues over 100 migrants south of Crete

On the night of October 5 to 6, 2026, the Hellenic Coast Guard conducted two rescue operations for migrants in the sea area south of Crete. The operations were coordinated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, despite challenging conditions with northerly winds reaching force 5.

Reports regarding the number of individuals involved vary by source. The Famagusta Gazette states that 105 migrants were rescued in total: 65 individuals 42 nautical miles south of Kali Limenes and 40 individuals 50 nautical miles south of Agia Galini. Conversely, AlphaNews reports that two separate operations took place near Agia Galini, involving approximately 80 people in total—40 in the first incident and 40 in the second, with the latter spotted 52 nautical miles offshore by a Frontex drone.

The migrants were successfully transported to ports in southern Crete, including Kali Limenes and Agia Galini. Following the rescue, they have been placed under the jurisdiction of competent local authorities to undergo standard administrative procedures. No further incidents have been reported in the area as of this morning.