Greece rescues hundreds of migrants off Gavdos Island

Greek authorities rescued hundreds of migrants in two separate incidents off the southernmost island of Gavdos on December 19.

A total of 545 migrants were saved from a vessel that issued a distress signal, in an operation involving three coast guard ships, three vessels from the EU border agency Frontex, and three nearby boats, Caliber.Az reports per Greek media.

The rescued individuals were set to be transferred to the port of Rethymno on Crete, Greece’s largest island.

Previously, a Frontex vessel located 32 migrants on another boat off Gavdos and brought them to Hania, also on Crete. All rescued migrants were reported to be in good health.

Earlier this month, the European Union approved major tightening of migration rules for its 27 member states, including the controversial introduction of “return hubs” for rejected asylum seekers.

By Jeyhun Aghazada