Greek authorities on Thursday said they had rescued dozens of migrants approaching the country’s shores, most of them Sudanese and Bangladeshis, along with several Egyptians.
Irregular arrivals to southern Crete have continued at pace, with at least 202 migrants reaching the island in less than 48 hours in successive journeys launched from Libya, reports Middle East Monitor.
The influx has put mounting pressure on local authorities and reception centres.
Officials said Thursday morning that a new boat carrying 40 migrants was detected by a Frontex aircraft in the south‑eastern area of Ierapetra.
A coastguard patrol, assisted by a fishing vessel, brought the passengers to Ierapetra port, where registration and identity checks began.
The operation followed two earlier arrivals carrying 112 migrants, according to Dimokratia newspaper.
The first group comprised 56 people, including 31 Sudanese and 25 Bangladeshis. The second group also numbered 56, among them 47 Bangladeshis and nine Egyptians.
All arrivals were transferred to a temporary accommodation centre at Heraklion Port, which continues to serve as a reception facility as numbers rise.
Separately, authorities announced the arrest of a 16‑year‑old South Sudanese boy suspected of involvement in smuggling 50 migrants rescued in a previous operation 28.5 nautical miles south‑west of Ierapetra.
Migrants told officials the suspect allegedly piloted the journey from Tobruk, Libya, to Greece in exchange for payments ranging between $1,500 and $2,000 per person.
