Greece rescues 545 migrants off Gavdos as Libya route sees surge in crossings

Greek authorities rescued 545 migrants from a vessel off Gavdos on Friday in one of the largest recent operations, amid a sharp rise in arrivals from Libya to Greece’s southern islands.

The Hellenic Coast Guard received a distress signal shortly after 3 am, prompting a response from three coast guard vessels, three Frontex ships, and three commercial vessels about 16 nautical miles southeast of Gavdos. Hundreds of migrants were found crowded aboard a fishing boat. After several hours, all 545 people were safely transferred to the port of Agia Galini on Crete, in good health.

Mayor Giannis Tatarakis of Agios Vasilios municipality said the migrants would stay briefly in Agia Galini before being moved to Rethymno, with municipal authorities providing food and other essential support.

via Euronews

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