- At least 14 people have died after a boat carrying migrants was found near Crete, according to Greek authorities.
- Thirteen bodies were recovered from the boat, which was discovered about 15 nautical miles south of Crete's coast.
- Eighteen survivors were rescued by a Moroccan-flagged cargo ship, all of whom were Sudanese nationals.
- One survivor later died, bringing the total death toll to at least fourteen.
- Four of the survivors were taken to hospital, including a toddler.
- Crete is a key gateway for migrants attempting to reach Europe from the Middle East and North Africa.
- The perilous crossing from Libya to Crete has been made by thousands of people in recent months.
- More than 37,000 migrants have arrived in Greece so far this year, surpassing the total for the entirety of 2025.
At least 14 people have died after a migrant boat sank off Crete, with the Greek coastguard rescuing 18 survivors, all Sudanese, including a toddler. The boat was discovered by a Moroccan-flagged container ship about 15 nautical miles from Crete's coast.1
Authorities believe the vessel had been at sea for days and struggled against strong winds. One coastguard official noted that the survivors were "shivering from the cold". The incident highlights the ongoing migrant crisis, as Crete remains a key entry point for those fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East and North Africa.
This year, more than 37,000 migrants have arrived in Greece, surpassing the total for all of 2025. The Greek government is responding to the influx by opening a temporary housing complex near Heraklion. On the same day, the coastguard rescued another 187 people in three separate incidents off Greece's coast, indicating the perilous nature of the Mediterranean crossing.
The EU's border agency, Frontex, reported that the eastern Mediterranean route remains the busiest for irregular crossings into Europe, with 31,800 crossings detected in the first three quarters of 2026, despite a 15% decline from the previous year.
“The boat was spotted by a Moroccan-flagged container ship about 15 nautical miles off Crete, and more than 180 people were found on three other boats heading from Libya to Crete on Monday. Greece has seen over 37,000 migrant arrivals this year, surpassing 2025's total.”
