One person has died, 25 are missing and 51 have been rescued after a boat carrying migrants sank near the Greek island of Gavdos, south of Crete, according to Greece’s coastguard.
A coastguard spokesman said survivors reported that 77 people were aboard when the boat went down. Search and rescue efforts were continuing, with strong winds hampering operations.
Rescue operation remains under way
The 51 survivors were picked up by two boats in the area, the coastguard spokesman said. Greece’s public broadcaster ERT News reported that those rescued would be brought to Crete.
The search area is one of the main entry points for asylum seekers travelling to Greece from North Africa. Crete and Gavdos have seen increased attention as arrivals reach the islands.
Key points
- Four ships, boats, Frontex aircraft and a coastguard helicopter were involved in the search.
- The 51 rescued people were due to be taken to Crete for prescribed procedures.
- Gavdos is about 320km (200 miles) from Libya’s coast.
Greece has tightened its asylum response
Greece’s government suspended asylum claims for three months in July for migrants arriving by sea from North Africa. The measure passed in parliament after a rise in asylum seekers reaching Crete, while talks with Libya’s Benghazi-based government to curb crossings were cancelled. Read the context: Spain Sees Record 1 Million Migrants Seeking Legal Residency Under New Policy.
The government is also preparing legislation that would require imprisonment for people whose asylum claims are denied and ankle monitors during a 30-day compliance period before deportation. It remains in disagreement with regional authorities in Crete over a proposed permanent transit facility.
What happens next
The search and rescue operation was continuing, and the rescued people were expected to be taken to Crete, where the prescribed procedures would be followed.
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