A Hellenic Coast Guard patrol boat has safely rescued 96 migrants from two overcrowded dinghies drifting off the coast of Crete, marking the latest intercept along an increasingly active Mediterranean smuggling route.
The operations unfolded in the sea region of Kaloi Limenes, a small port on Crete’s southern shoreline, after a surveillance aircraft operated by the European Union border agency, Frontex, spotted the two vessels.
Regional maritime authorities immediately dispatched a patrol boat to the coordinates, transferring the individuals to the local harbor.
All 96 migrants were reported safe and are currently undergoing medical evaluations, formal identification, and registration by local port and municipal authorities.
The rescue comes amid a sharp spike in maritime arrivals targeting southern Crete.
Security officials note that human trafficking networks based in eastern Libya, particularly around Tobruk, are increasingly exploiting the central Mediterranean crossing to reach Greek soil.
Local civil protection coordinator Giannis Androulakis confirmed that regional temporary facilities in Heraklion are being prepared to accommodate the group.
Greek authorities, working alongside Frontex, have launched a preliminary investigation to identify potential smuggling organizers among those pulled from the vessels.