At a Glance

• Greek authorities recovered 12 bodies from a migrant boat south of Crete.

• A passing cargo ship rescued 18 people from the same vessel.

• Two other boats carrying dozens of migrants were also found in the area.

Greek authorities recovered 12 bodies from a boat carrying migrants south of the island of Crete early Monday, while a Moroccan-flagged cargo ship rescued 18 people from the same vessel, the coast guard said.

Key Statements and Focus Area

• Coast Guard on the Discovery: The boat was found about 15 nautical miles south of Crete on Monday morning, and no further information was immediately available on the identities of the dead or the circumstances of their deaths. — Greek Coast Guard.

• Coast Guard on the Other Boats: Two more boats, carrying about 47 and 40 people, were found south of Crete, spotted by a Frontex aircraft and drone, and those on board were rescued. — Greek Coast Guard.

• Focus Area: The deaths of migrants on a boat off Crete and the dangerous Libya-to-Crete sea route.

The rescued passengers from the two other boats are being taken to a port on Crete's southern coast.

In recent months, thousands of people have attempted the crossing from North Africa, usually from Libya to Crete, while others make the shorter but often equally dangerous journey from Turkey to Greek Aegean islands in unseaworthy dinghies or small boats.

Last month, 12 people, including an infant, died when two boats traveling from Turkey to Lesbos and Samos capsized.

FYI

Greece is one of the main entry points into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Frontex said in October that the eastern Mediterranean was the busiest route into the EU, with about 31,800 crossings recorded in the first three quarters of 2026, down 15% from the same period last year.

The Libya-to-Crete corridor was the busiest section of that route.

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