Greece – Around 200 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean after the weather improved

ATHENS — Around 200 migrants were rescued in the Mediterranean, south of Crete, within a few hours after a strong storm subsided, the Greek state broadcaster ERTNews reported today.

According to ERTNews, four separate rescue operations were carried out. In the first two operations, first 50 people and then 65 people were rescued. In the other two operations, 40 people were rescued in each.

The migrants said they had set out from the coast near the port city of Tobruk, in Libya. During the past week, because of strong winds and bad weather, no migrant had managed to reach Crete.

According to data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), from the start of the year to the end of September, more than 16,300 migrants have arrived in Crete.

Crete, known as one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations, is also a point where migrants try to reach Greece and, through it, the European Union, after setting out from North Africa.

Greece’s Minister of Migration, Thanos Plevris, recently said that more than 500,000 people in Libya are waiting to try to cross towards Europe.

This sea route is considered extremely dangerous. Sudden changes in the weather and breakdowns of the boats’ engines, which are often old and lack the necessary safety equipment, increase the risk for the migrants.

Tobruk is located around 300 kilometres south of Crete.