Greece rescues 266 migrants in Crete and Andros
Greek authorities rescued at least 241 foreign nationals in four separate operations south of Crete, while another 25 people, including eight minors, were located on the island of Andros, the Hellenic Coast Guard said.
The rescue operations off Ierapetra and Gavdos took place from Sunday night, with the Hellenic Coast Guard and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, coordinating efforts to bring people safely ashore.
241 people rescued off Crete
In the first operation, a Hellenic Coast Guard patrol vessel spotted two boats carrying approximately 77 foreign nationals in waters south of Chrysi islet, off Ierapetra. Those rescued were transferred to the port of Ierapetra.
Two further operations took place about 15 nautical miles southeast of Chrysi. A Frontex unmanned aerial vehicle initially spotted a boat carrying 52 people, who were rescued by a Coast Guard patrol vessel.
Shortly afterwards, another Frontex drone detected a second boat in the same area, carrying 67 foreign nationals. A Coast Guard vessel was dispatched to rescue them, and they were also taken to Ierapetra.
In a separate incident south of Gavdos, a Frontex aircraft spotted a boat carrying approximately 45 people about 23 nautical miles from the island. A vessel operated by the European agency rescued those on board and transported them to the port of Paleochora.
Weather conditions were reported to be good in the Ierapetra area, while westerly winds of force 4 on the Beaufort scale prevailed south of Gavdos.
25 people found on Andros beach
Meanwhile, port authorities on Andros located 25 foreign nationals, including eight minors, on Sunday following reports of their presence at Rozou beach, near Achla beach on the island’s northeastern coast.
The Andros Port Authority was alerted around midday and immediately deployed a patrol boat and a land patrol vehicle.
A subsequent search located six men, 11 women and eight minors. Coast Guard personnel transported the group by patrol boat to Vori beach.
They were subsequently transferred to a holding facility at the Andros Police Department and temporary accommodation provided by the municipality.
The latest incidents underscore the continued pressure on Greece’s maritime borders and the ongoing role of national and European authorities in search-and-rescue operations.
Source:AMNA
