12 Dead, 18 Rescued: Greek Coast Guard Details Crete Sea Recovery

Greek coast guard officials reported the recovery of 12 bodies and the rescue of 18 survivors from a single migrant vessel early Monday. The incident occurred in international waters south of Crete. A passing cargo ship flying the Moroccan flag conducted the rescue operation for the 18 survivors. Authorities later retrieved the 12 deceased individuals from the same boat.

The vessel was located approximately 15 nautical miles south of the island. This distance equates to roughly 28 kilometers or 18 miles. The coast guard stated that no immediate details were available regarding the identities of the victims or the specific causes of their deaths. The boat was found drifting in the Mediterranean Sea on Monday morning.

Rescue operations extended beyond the initial incident. Two additional boats were discovered in the same southern region of Crete. The first vessel carried approximately 47 people. The second boat held about 40 individuals. An aircraft from the European Union’s border agency, Frontex, spotted the first boat. A Frontex drone located the second vessel. All passengers from both additional boats were rescued and transported to a port on Crete’s southern coast.

Greece serves as a primary entry point for migrants entering the European Union from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. In recent months, thousands have attempted the dangerous sea crossing from North Africa, typically from Libya to Crete. Others take the shorter route from the Turkish coast to Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. These crossings often utilize unseaworthy inflatable dinghies or small boats.

This incident follows a similar tragedy last month. Twelve people, including one infant, died when two boats capsized while traveling from Turkey to the islands of Lesbos and Samos. The Eastern Mediterranean remains the busiest route for migrants attempting to enter the 27-nation EU bloc, according to Frontex data from October.

Despite high traffic, irregular border crossings into the EU have decreased. Frontex recorded approximately 31,800 crossings in the first three quarters of 2026. This figure represents a 15% drop compared to the same period in 2025. The Libya-to-Crete corridor was the busiest section of the route. It ranked ahead of the Eastern Aegean islands and the land border with Turkey in terms of volume.