A boat carrying 45 migrants was spotted off the coast of Crete, approximately 27 nautical miles south-east of Ierapetra.

The migrants were spotted by a cargo ship flying the Panamanian flag. Under the coordination of the Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, they were picked up by a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel.

The migrants are being transferred to the port of Ierapetra. Westerly winds of force 5–6 on the Beaufort scale are blowing in the area.