Tragic Discovery Off Crete
The bodies of at least 17 migrants were discovered on Saturday, December 6, 2025, in a partially deflated inflatable boat adrift approximately 26 nautical miles southwest of Chrysi, Crete. The grim discovery was made by a Turkish cargo ship, which promptly alerted Greek authorities, initiating a large-scale search and rescue operation.
Two survivors were found in critical condition and immediately transported to a hospital. They informed officials that no other passengers were missing from the vessel.
Rescue Efforts and Preliminary Findings
The Greek Coast Guard swiftly coordinated a comprehensive rescue operation. This involved:
- Two Coast Guard patrol boats
- A rescue helicopter
- Three merchant ships
- Support from Frontex, including a vessel and an aircraft
Preliminary reports from the port of Ierapetra suggest the cause of death for the 17 victims was likely dehydration and exposure, as the group had been without water or shelter for over 24 hours. The survivors recounted to rescue workers that they had lost control of the vessel during a severe storm, leaving them stranded in the open sea.
Migration Route Shift and Policy Context
The boat is believed to have originated from Libya, though the victims carried no identification documents, and their nationalities remain unknown. This tragedy underscores a significant shift in migration routes towards the southern Mediterranean. According to UNHCR data, arrivals to Crete from North Africa have surged in 2025, totaling over 16,700 by early December.
This trend follows a temporary 90-day suspension of asylum applications enacted by the Greek government in July 2025, a measure aimed at deterring arrivals from the Libyan coast. In September 2025, new legislation also introduced prison sentences for rejected asylum seekers who remain in the country beyond 14 days. This incident marks one of the deadliest maritime tragedies in Greek waters since the Pylos shipwreck in 2023.
8 Comments
Raphael
Tragic, yes, but countries have a right to control their borders. This is the sad reality of uncontrolled migration.
Leonardo
While the human tragedy is undeniable, Greece is genuinely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of arrivals. A sustainable, shared European approach is desperately needed.
Africa
This isn't 'migration,' it's a humanitarian catastrophe. We need compassion, not fences.
Bermudez
These deaths are a direct result of inhumane border policies. Europe has blood on its hands.
Habibi
Stricter border policies aim to deter illegal crossings, yet clearly, they push desperate individuals into even more dangerous situations. The current approach is failing to solve the problem humanely.
Coccinella
While the Greek government's efforts to control migration are understandable, the human cost of these measures is becoming too high. A more comprehensive, humanitarian strategy is required.
Bella Ciao
Smugglers are the real villains here, profiting from human desperation. They must be stopped.
Habibi
The Coast Guard did everything they could. It's an impossible situation for them to manage.