The Greek coast guard reported Monday that the bodies of 12 migrants were discovered on a boat off the coast of Crete, while 18 others were rescued alive by a Moroccan-flagged cargo vessel passing through the area. The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear, and local police have opened an investigation.
According to the police statement, the migrant boat was located approximately 28 kilometers south of Crete, in an area considered one of the most dangerous migration routes in the Mediterranean. Greek authorities have not released information about the identities of the deceased migrants, their point of departure, or how long they had been at sea before the tragedy occurred.
Separately, two additional migrant boats were found in the region, each carrying dozens of migrants heading toward a port in southern Crete. The Greek coast guard said the first vessel held 47 people and was spotted by a Frontex aircraft, the European Union's border agency. The second boat, carrying 40 migrants, was detected by a Frontex drone. Frontx forces recsued all of the passengers from both boats.
