Greece intercepts dozens of illegal migrants near Gavdos and southern Crete

Greek coast guard units reported a wave of irregular migrant arrivals in the southern Aegean. On a Thursday night, border officers discovered 30 migrants on the beach of Trypefti on Gavdos Island and, a few hours later, 35 migrants were off‑loaded at the Iera Moni Koukouda beach in the municipality of Gortynas, southern Crete. Among the latter group were three minors. A 17‑year‑old South Sudanese was arrested as a suspected trafficker and charged with facilitating illegal entry and endangering lives.

The total number of migrants handled by the authorities that day rose to 65. Later, a drone operated by Frontex identified a further 92 migrants aboard a boat south‑east of Gavdos. The vessel, flagged to Antigua and Barbuda, was intercepted, its outboard engine seized and the craft destroyed. The Central Coast Guard Office in Heraklion continues the investigation.