At Least 22 Migrants Die in Separate Boat Sinkings Near Crete

At Least 22 Migrants Died in Two Boat Incidents

At least 22 migrants have lost their lives in two separate boat incidents south of Crete over recent days, vg.no reported on November 9, 2026.

The Greek coast guard and rescue services recovered the bodies as multiple operations unfolded in the area.

The Stricken Vessels

A Moroccan-registered cargo ship spotted a migrant boat roughly 28 kilometers south of Crete on Monday, according to AP and Greek media cited by vg.no. The Greek coast guard found 13 dead bodies on board that vessel. Eighteen people were found alive, but one of them died later at a local health facility.

We found them shivering from cold, an anonymous coast guard worker told Reuters.

In a second boat, eight migrants died after spending days at sea without fuel, food, or drinking water. Two people remain missing from that crossing. A young boy was brought ashore by the Hellenic Coast Guard in Kaloi Limenes, while separate rescue operations continued nearby.

Rescue Teams Saved 187 People and Greek Authorities Arrested Two Suspects

Rescue teams found approximately 187 people across three other boats in the same region on Monday. Those vessels carried groups of roughly 47, 40, and 100 individuals. The European Union border agency Frontex participated in the operations.

Greek authorities arrested two Sudanese citizens aged 16 and 28. They are suspected of organizing the specific overfart where 14 people died.

The Libya-Crete Route

The sea crossing from Libya to Crete has emerged as a primary migration route into the European Union. Frontex data shows this stretch was the busiest section of the eastern Mediterranean route during the first nine months of the year. Survivors from the stricken boats reported running completely out of fuel and provisions after days adrift.