Greek Coast Guard Rescues 545 Migrants Off Gavdos, Transports to Crete

Major Rescue Operation Off Gavdos

The Hellenic Coast Guard successfully completed a large-scale rescue operation on Friday, December 19, 2025, saving 545 migrants from an overcrowded fishing boat. The vessel was located approximately 16 nautical miles (29.6 kilometers) southeast of the island of Gavdos, Greece's southernmost territory. The distress call was received in the early hours of the morning, prompting an immediate response from Greek authorities.

The rescue effort involved a coordinated deployment of resources, including three Coast Guard ships, three vessels from the European border agency Frontex, and three commercial ships. All 545 individuals aboard the distressed fishing boat were reported to be in good health following the operation, with no injuries reported.

Transfer to Crete and Humanitarian Aid

Following their rescue, all migrants were safely transferred to the port of Agia Galini on the island of Crete. Local authorities on Crete made arrangements for temporary accommodation and provided essential humanitarian assistance, including food. Some reports indicated that the migrants would subsequently be moved to facilities in Rethymno or Hania on Crete.

The rescued individuals are primarily reported to be men from countries such as Egypt, Sudan, and Bangladesh, with some sources also mentioning Pakistan. They are believed to have departed from the eastern coast of Libya, particularly the Tobruk area, embarking on a perilous 180-mile journey across the Mediterranean.

Surge in Migration Along the Libya-Gavdos Route

This significant rescue operation underscores a dramatic increase in migrant arrivals along the route from Libya to Greece's southern islands. Gavdos, with fewer than 100 permanent residents, has become an increasingly active landing point for smuggling networks. These networks are adapting to heightened surveillance on more traditional Central Mediterranean paths towards Italy, identifying the stretch to Gavdos as a 'gap' in surveillance.

The journey, often lasting over 36 hours, is extremely hazardous, with migrants reportedly paying smugglers between 2,000 and 5,000 euros for passage on often unseaworthy and overcrowded boats. This surge has led to frequent tragedies, including a shipwreck off Crete earlier in December that claimed the lives of at least 32 people. More than 7,300 migrants reached Crete and Gavdos in the first half of 2025 alone, surpassing the total for all of 2024.

Additional Rescues Highlight Ongoing Crisis

The same day, in a separate incident, Frontex located and rescued an additional 32 migrants from another vessel off Gavdos, who were also taken to Crete. This incident was part of a larger series of rescues, with Greek authorities and Frontex coordinating to save a total of 667 migrants in four separate incidents within a 24-hour period.