Forty-three migrants were rescued early on Wednesday in a coordinated sea operation south of the Greek island of Crete, after their vessel was detected drifting in open waters.
The boat was located approximately 30 nautical miles south of the coastal area of Kali Limenes, a small port on Crete’s southern shoreline. The detection was made by a surveillance drone operated by the European border agency Frontex, which immediately alerted authorities.
A rescue operation was launched involving a Frontex patrol vessel as well as a passing cargo ship sailing under the Liberian flag. The two vessels worked together to safely reach and recover the people on board.
All 43 individuals were brought safely to shore at Kali Limenes, where they received initial medical assistance and underwent identification procedures.
According to the Greek coast guard, the group is expected to be transferred to a temporary reception facility in the city of Heraklion, where standard registration and processing procedures will take place.
