22 migrants die off the coast of Crete after six days at sea
22 Migrants Die Off the Coast of Crete After Six Days at Sea
Survivors Report Tragic Conditions
On Saturday, survivors relayed information to the Greek coastguard about a vessel carrying 22 migrants en route to Europe that sank near Crete. Twenty-six individuals managed to survive the journey, with four from South Sudan and one Chadian national among them. The remaining 21 survivors were Bangladeshis, according to officials, who noted that those requiring medical attention were transported to hospitals.
The boat, which had set off from Tobruk in eastern Libya on 21 March, spent six days adrift in the Mediterranean after losing its course. Survivors described the deceased being dumped into the sea at the direction of a smuggler on board, as the group faced severe dehydration and starvation throughout the ordeal.
“During the journey, the passengers lost their bearings and remained at sea for six days without food or water,” the coastguard stated. “The corpses of those who died were cast into the Mediterranean at the smuggler’s command,” it added.
Investigations Into Smugglers Unfold
Greek authorities have detained two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, suspected of organizing the smuggling operation. They are currently under scrutiny for charges of illegal entry and negligent homicide.
The incident occurred 53 nautical miles south of Ierapetra, a town on southern Crete. A coastguard spokesperson told AFP that the vessel endured “unfavorable meteorological conditions,” which, combined with a lack of sustenance, “resulted in the deaths of 22 individuals due to exhaustion,” the official explained.
EU Border Agency Highlights Rising Fatalities
Earlier this month, the EU’s border agency, Frontex, reported that migrant deaths in the Mediterranean had more than doubled in the first two months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This surge underscores the ongoing challenges in maritime rescue efforts.
In December, 17 migrants were discovered dead inside their partially deflated boat, found southwest of Crete. Only two survivors were identified, while 15 others were lost at sea, with their bodies never recovered.
Policies Targeting Migrant Routes Under Scrutiny
The European Parliament recently endorsed a significant overhaul of the bloc’s migration strategy, aiming to curb crossings by establishing “return hubs.” These hubs, modeled after the UK’s Rwanda initiative, would direct migrants to non-EU countries. However, the plan has drawn criticism from human rights organizations for its perceived inhumanity.