World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
At least 20 migrants die trying to reach Greece’s Crete
At least 20 people died trying to reach Crete, Greek authorities said after separate boat incidents over the weekend and on Monday.
In one incident south of the island, a cargo ship rescued 18 people and 12 bodies were recovered; another eight bodies were found in a separate boat incident.
More than 100 people were rescued in several operations off Crete, including people on two other boats carrying about 47 and 40 people.
Crete is a key entry point into the European Union for migrants and refugees arriving by sea from North Africa and other regions.
The circumstances of the deaths in the Monday incident were not immediately clear, though authorities said strong winds and a long time at sea may have contributed.
Two people from the Saturday incident remained missing, according to the Greek coastguard.
Frontex said irregular border crossings into the EU were down by a third so far this year, with about 31,800 recorded in the first three quarters.
Greek authorities recovered 12 bodies from a migrant boat south of Crete early Monday.
A passing Moroccan-flagged cargo ship rescued 18 people from the same boat.
The boat was found about 15 nautical miles south of Crete.
Authorities had no immediate information on the identities of those who died or how they died.
The Coast Guard also reported separate rescues of people from two other boats south of Crete.
- Who
- Twelve people died, and 18 others were rescued from the same boat.
- What
- Greek authorities recovered 12 bodies from a migrant boat; a cargo ship rescued 18 people.
- When
- Early Monday, November 9, 2026.
- Where
- About 15 nautical miles south of Crete, Greece.
- Why
- Not stated. The circumstances of the deaths were not immediately known.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Maritime police launched an emergency rescue after a boat issued an alarm signal, with strong winds making conditions difficult.
Another boat picked up about 28 survivors and one body, all Sudanese nationals, and took them to Crete.
The Coast Guard found that boat and recovered seven additional bodies.
Authorities recovered 12 bodies from a separate boat south of Crete, and 18 people from it were rescued.
- Bodies recovered
- 12
- People rescued from the same boat
- 18
- Distance south of Crete
- About 15 nautical miles
- Rescue vessel
- Moroccan-flagged cargo ship
- Other boats found south of Crete
- One carrying about 47 people; another carrying about 40 people
6 sources
Thirteen migrants die after boat sinks off Crete
At least 21 migrants and refugees die trying to reach Greece's Crete
20 migrants die trying to reach Greece’s Crete: Authorities
Greece recovers 12 dead migrants from boat off of Crete, coast guard says
Greek authorities find 12 bodies in a boat carrying migrants south of Crete
Greek authorities find 12 bodies in a boat carrying migrants south of Crete; 18 people rescued