A total of 152 illegal migrants were located and rescued today in two separate incidents coordinated by the National Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (NRCC) of the Limeric Corps – Hellenic Coast Guard.

The rescue operations were carried out in sea areas south of Gavdos and Kalia Limenoi with the participation of floating patrol boats, container ships and vessels of the Frontex force

First incident – 113 foreigners rescued south of Gavdos

In the sea area south of the island of Gavdos, a total of 113 foreigners, who were in three boats, were located and rescued. The rescue operation was carried out under adverse weather conditions with winds of 3 Beaufort North, and involved:

– The Coast Guard’s High Seas Vessel (HMS)

– Lifeboat

– Vessel of the European force FRONTEX

– Container vessel flying the flag of Singapore

The rescued persons were safely boarded in the rescue means and transported to the port of Gavdos, where they were provided with the necessary care by the competent authorities.

Second incident – 39 foreigners found south of Kales Port

A few hours later, a vessel carrying 39 foreigners was located in the sea area south of Kale Limenoi. The incident was immediately dealt with by a patrol boat of the Coast Guard – Greek Coast Guard, which rushed to the area and conducted the rescue operation. In this case too, winds of 3 Beaufort NW prevailing.

The migrants were transferred to the port of Kales Limenoi, where the necessary checks and reception procedures will be carried out.

The operations are part of a wider framework of control and protection of the maritime borders, as well as the safeguarding of human life at sea, at a time when migratory flows to southern Crete seem to be increasing.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances under which the two trips took place, as well as the activities of trafficking rings.