Summary
Greek coastguard rescued almost 540 asylum seekers from a fishing boat near Crete. The asylum seekers, from multiple countries, were taken to the city of Rethymno for health checks and asylum processing. This incident highlights ongoing migration challenges in the Mediterranean region.
Key Facts
- Greek coastguard rescued nearly 540 asylum seekers from a boat near Crete.
- The rescue operation took place 16 nautical miles off the island of Gavdos.
- The asylum seekers came from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, and the occupied Palestinian territory.
- After the rescue, they were taken to Rethymno for health checks and asylum processing.
- A separate rescue operation by EU's border agency Frontex saved 70 asylum seekers from two boats near Gavdos.
- Greece saw a significant wave of migration in 2015 and 2016, creating ongoing challenges.
- Crete and Gavdos have seen an increase in asylum boats, often departing from Libya.
- An EU migration and asylum pact, starting next June, aims to support countries like Greece with migration pressures.
