A total of 264 foreign nationals were located or rescued in less than 24 hours across four separate incidents in the sea area south of Crete and along the island’s eastern coastline.

The operations were conducted under the coordination of the Hellenic Coast Guard and the Joint Rescue Coordination Center, with the assistance of Hellenic Coast Guard vessels and FRONTEX assets.

Rescue of 130 migrants south of Kalo Limenes

The largest incident occurred yesterday afternoon, when the Coast Guard authorities of Agia Galini and Kalo Limenes were informed of two boats carrying foreign nationals south of Kalo Limenes.

A total of 130 migrants—126 men, two women, and two minors—were safely rescued by a FRONTEX vessel and transferred to the port of Kalo Limenes. They were later transported to the port of Heraklion, escorted by members of the Special Missions Unit of the Heraklion Coast Guard Authority.

Rescue operation for 48 migrants 40 nautical miles south of Kalo Limenes

A new search and rescue operation took place in the early hours of today after authorities in Agia Galini, Kokkinos Pyrgos, and Kalo Limenes were informed of a boat carrying migrants 40 nautical miles south of Kalo Limenes.

The 48 migrants on board—including 39 men, two women, and seven minors—were picked up by a Coast Guard rescue vessel and transferred to Kalo Limenes port. They were subsequently escorted to Heraklion by Coast Guard special units.

Rescue of 42 migrants southeast of Gavdos

A few hours later, around midday, another operation was launched in the sea area 22 nautical miles southeast of Gavdos.

A Coast Guard patrol vessel recovered 42 migrants—41 men and one woman—and transported them safely to the port of Agia Galini. They were later moved to a reception facility in Rethymno, escorted by a local Coast Guard officer.

Detection of 44 migrants in the Ierapetra area

At the same time, another incident was recorded in eastern Crete during the afternoon. The Coast Guard Authority of Ierapetra was informed of the presence of migrants at Cape “Theofilos,” east of the “Psari Fora” area in the municipality of Viannos.

Coast Guard personnel arrived at the scene and located 44 migrants—43 men and one woman. They were transferred to a temporary holding facility, while a preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Ierapetra Port Authority.