Greek port authorities responded to four separate incidents involving migrants off southern Crete on Tuesday, September 15, finding and rescuing or safely transporting a total of 235 people.
The incidents were recorded at different locations, from the waters south of Gavdos to the southern coasts of Heraklion and Lasithi.
67 migrants rescued south of Gavdos
Around midday, a Frontex vessel spotted a boat carrying migrants in the sea south of Gavdos and rescued 67 people.
The group included 63 men, two women and two minors.
With assistance from a Hellenic Coast Guard patrol vessel, the migrants were taken to Tigani port in Palaiochora. They were then transported by bus, accompanied by personnel from a Unit of the Chania Central Port Authority, to an accommodation facility in Agia, Chania.
The Chania Central Port Authority is conducting the preliminary investigation into the incident.
Another 67 rescued southeast of Kaloi Limenes
Earlier in the day, port authorities in Kaloi Limenes, Ierapetra and Agia Galini were alerted by Greece’s Joint Rescue Coordination Center about a boat in distress approximately 44 nautical miles southeast of Kaloi Limenes.
A Hellenic Coast Guard patrol vessel went to the area and rescued 67 people, including 65 men and two minors.
The migrants were initially taken to Kaloi Limenes and then transferred to the port of Heraklion, accompanied by personnel from the Phaistos Police Department.
The Heraklion Central Port Authority is conducting the preliminary investigation.
51 found on beach near Kaloi Limenes
In a separate incident, 51 migrants were found on Psari Forada beach in the Kaloi Limenes area.
The group included 47 men and four minors. They were transported by bus to the port of Heraklion, accompanied by personnel from the local Special Missions Unit and the Viannos Police Department.
As part of the preliminary investigation, authorities seized an outboard motor. The boat used to transport the migrants was destroyed.
50 found after landing in Ierapetra
Another incident was reported in Ierapetra, where the local port authority was alerted to the presence of migrants on Kolovrechtis beach after they had disembarked from an inflatable boat.
Hellenic Coast Guard personnel went to the location and found 50 people, who were transferred to a temporary accommodation facility in Ierapetra.
The Ierapetra Port Authority is conducting the preliminary investigation.
