At Least 22 Migrants Die Off Greek Coast After Six Days at Sea

At Least 22 Migrants Die Off Greek Coast After Six Days at Sea
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At least 22 migrants died off the coast of Greece after being stranded at sea for six days in a rubber boat, highlighting the continuing dangers of Mediterranean migration.

Greek authorities, citing survivor accounts, reported that the bodies of those who died were thrown into the sea by people smugglers. The vessel, which left Tobruk on March 21, carried migrants attempting to reach the European Union. Survivors said passengers endured the journey without food or water, losing their bearings during the crossing. Two survivors were hospitalized in Heraklion.

Greek police arrested two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, suspected of operating the smuggling operation. In a separate operation, the Frontex rescued 26 people, including a woman and a minor, near Crete.

The tragedy comes amid a surge of arrivals from Libya, a key transit point for people fleeing conflict and poverty since 2011. According to the UNHCR, over 16,770 asylum seekers reached Crete in 2025, with at least 107 dying or going missing in Greek waters.