18 migrants die in boat sinking south of Greek island of Crete
The Mediterranean Sea witnessed another human tragedy on Saturday, as Greek authorities announced the deaths of at least 18 undocumented migrants after their rubber boat sank during a perilous crossing attempt south of Crete. This incident adds to the growing list of fatalities that claim the lives of those dreaming of a better life on the borders of Europe.
Details of the incident and rescue operations
According to official data from the Greek Coast Guard, the stricken boat was discovered by a Turkish-flagged merchant vessel sailing in the area. The ship's crew found the boat partially submerged, indicating that the incident occurred shortly before rescue efforts began. Initial rescue efforts resulted in the recovery of only two people who were on board, while the bodies of 18 victims who perished in the rough seas were also recovered.
Search and rescue operations are still ongoing in the maritime area south of Crete, with the participation of naval and air units, in the hope of finding any other survivors or recovering more victims, under sea conditions that are often complicated in these open areas of the Mediterranean.
Historical background: Migration routes across the Eastern Mediterranean
Historically and geographically, Greece is one of the main gateways to the European Union, receiving thousands of migrants and refugees fleeing the horrors of war, armed conflict, and dire economic conditions in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Despite tightened border controls in recent years, the Eastern Mediterranean route continues to see a steady flow of perilous sea crossings.
In a related development, a shift in smugglers' routes has recently been observed, with them resorting to longer and more dangerous paths to avoid the increased patrols around the Greek islands near the Turkish coast (such as Lesbos and Chios). Crete and the southern Peloponnese have become points of entry on smuggling routes that sometimes aim to reach Italy directly, exposing migrants to greater risks due to the longer distances and the use of rubber dinghies unsuitable for sea travel.
Human and international dimensions of the event
This incident once again highlights the ongoing migration crisis that plagues the international community and the European Union. The Mediterranean Sea, often described as the world's "largest open-air graveyard" for migrants, claims hundreds of lives annually. Border countries like Greece and Italy face immense pressure in managing migrant flows and conducting rescue operations, amid persistent calls for fundamental solutions to the political and economic crises in countries of origin, as well as the development of unified European migration policies that ensure safety and combat human trafficking networks.
