At least 22 migrants die in Greek waters after six-day journey

Greek Coastguard Reports Multiple Fatalities Offshore

At least 22 people died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Libya to Greece in a rubber boat, according to authorities. The incident occurred over six days at sea, during which time the passengers reportedly lost their bearings and remained without food or water.

According to survivor accounts shared with the coastguard, the bodies of those who died were thrown into the sea by individuals believed to be people smugglers. Two survivors were taken to hospital in Heraklion on Crete for treatment.

Greek authorities have arrested two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, in connection with the incident. The coastguard also reported that 26 people, including a woman and a minor, were rescued by a Frontex European Union Agency vessel off the island of Crete.

The incident is part of a larger trend of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean from Libya to Europe. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over 16,770 people arrived in Crete seeking asylum in Europe in 2025, with at least 107 reported fatalities or disappearances in Greek waters during the same period.

In recent months, there have been several incidents of migrants dying or going missing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported on multiple incidents, including a capsizing off the coast of Zuwara city in Libya that resulted in the deaths of 53 migrants, including two babies.

The Greek government had previously suspended the processing of asylum applications for three months in mid-2025, particularly for those arriving from Libya. However, the incident highlights ongoing concerns about the risks faced by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean.

Source: Al Jazeera