Greece rescues hundreds of migrants in 48 hours off Crete, Gavdos

The Greek coastguard rescued nearly 550 migrants, including dozens of minors, within 48 hours during a series of operations in waters south of Crete and near the offshore island of Gavdos, officials said.

Sources within the agency said multiple boats were currently en route from Libya toward Crete, dpa reports.

The largest operation took place on June 9 south of Crete, where 192 people, including 42 minors, were rescued from a fishing vessel and brought ashore. The migrants reportedly told authorities they had departed from the Libyan coast and each paid around $3,000 to smugglers for the crossing.

The roughly 300-kilometre route from Libya to Crete is increasingly being used by smuggling networks. Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris recently said that more than half a million people are currently waiting in Libya for an opportunity to travel to Europe.

Meanwhile, the Greek parliament ratified the European Union’s new migration and asylum rules on June 9 evening, according to the parliament’s presidium in Athens. The legislation is set to take effect on June 12 and includes provisions for reception centres in non-EU countries. Plevris said that Greece is in talks with two African states regarding the plan.

By Vafa Guliyeva