Search for Missing Migrants
Major Search Underway After Migrant Boat Partially Sinks South of Greece
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The rescue operation began on the evening of September 13, with the search continuing throughout the night, according to Greek state television ERT.
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Greek authorities had not disclosed the type of vessel or the nationalities of the migrants aboard it in their initial reports.
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The incident occurred in the Libyan Sea, south of Crete; Gavdos is an inhabited island and Greece’s southernmost point, providing geographic context for the increasingly used migration route from North Africa.
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One report citing the Greek coast guard and AFP said that at least one person had died, while the coast guard was searching for 35 others—figures that differ from the later or alternative estimate of about 25 missing people.
A migrant boat carrying about 77 people partially sank roughly 38 nautical miles south of Greece's Gavdos Island on the evening of September 13, triggering a major overnight search-and-rescue operation. Greek Coast Guard and Frontex vessels rescued 51 people, but at least one person died and approximately 20 to 25 others remained missing as of the latest reports.
The incident occurred in the Libyan Sea, a key migration route from North Africa toward Greece's southern islands and Crete. ERT reported that aircraft and a helicopter joined Greek authorities in the overnight search as waters south of Gavdos have become increasingly used by migrant vessels attempting the crossing.
Boat Sinks While Traveling From Libya to Crete
The migrant vessel departed from Libya bound for Crete when it took on water and became stranded in the Libyan Sea. Greek authorities rescued 51 people from the boat and found one person unconscious. The vessel is believed to have been carrying approximately 77 migrants total when it began to sink.
Rescue Teams Deploy Across The Aegean
The Greek Coast Guard launched an immediate rescue response involving multiple vessels, aircraft, and a helicopter that worked through the night of September 13. Frontex, the European Union's border agency, deployed resources to assist in the search operation. Rescuers pulled 51 survivors from the water, though exact casualty figures varied slightly across initial reports.
Gavdos Becomes Focus Of Mediterranean Migration Route
Gavdos Island, Greece's southernmost point, sits at the heart of a heavily trafficked migration corridor from North Africa. The waters south of Crete have seen increasing boat traffic as migrants attempt the dangerous crossing from Libya toward Greek islands and mainland Europe. Authorities did not immediately disclose the nationalities of those aboard or additional details about the vessel type.
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