Greek authorities on Friday rescued 545 migrants who had departed from Libya after their vessel ran into distress near the island of Gavdos, highlighting the continued surge in irregular migration from Libya’s eastern coast towards southern Europe, according to Euro News.
The Hellenic Coast Guard said the rescue took place early on Friday after a distress signal was received shortly after 3 a.m. The operation was carried out around 16 nautical miles southeast of Gavdos, involving three Greek coast guard vessels, three Frontex ships and three commercial vessels.
Hundreds of migrants were found crowded aboard a fishing boat in dangerous conditions. After several hours, the operation was completed without reported injuries, and all 545 migrants were transferred safely to the port of Agia Galini on the island of Crete.
Local Greek officials confirmed that the migrants would remain briefly in Agia Galini before being moved to facilities in Rethymno, with municipal authorities providing food and emergency assistance. In a separate incident the same day, Frontex rescued an additional 32 migrants from another vessel that had also departed from Libya.
The incidents underline the growing use of eastern Libyan departure points, particularly the Tobruk area, by smuggling networks. The route towards Gavdos and Crete has become increasingly active as traffickers adapt to tighter surveillance in western Libya and along central Mediterranean routes.
More than 7,300 migrants have reached Crete and Gavdos during the first half of 2025 alone, surpassing total arrivals recorded throughout 2024. Most migrants are reported to be from Egypt, Sudan and Bangladesh, paying thousands of euros for risky sea crossings lasting more than 36 hours.
The rise in departures continues to place Libya at the centre of Mediterranean migration pressures, raising renewed questions about border control, human smuggling networks and international cooperation.
