Greece: Hundreds of migrants saved in the Mediterranean south of Crete

The Greek coast guard has once again saved hundreds of migrants from distress south of the Crete holiday island. In several missions, around 700 people were recovered by boats and cutters who came from Libya. For various reasons, the boats drove unable to maneuver in international waters, reported Greek Rundfunk Ertnews, citing the coast guard.

On Friday morning, 278 people were located and saved south of Crete. The migrants were medically examined and an identity determination is underway. After that, they should continue to be brought to registration camps on the mainland, reporters reported on site. Four merchant ships also took part in the rescue of the people, it was said from the circles of the coast guard.

More migrants have been coming to Crete for weeks

Already the day before the island of Gavdos lying south of Crete, around 400 migrants were saved in three different missions and brought to a temporary recording center. The rescued stated that they were stabbed in the Libyan port Tobruk in sea towards Crete. The regional broadcaster of Greek radio and appointment to the coast guard of the island continued to come from states from North Africa and the Middle East.

According to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), 3,430 migrants have been arrived in Crete since May 11th. Within a few days, their number rose to 4,600 at the beginning of June, and then June 15 to 5,700. With the new arrivals, a total of around 6,500 migrants have now arrived on the island by Friday morning, Greek reporters said on site.

The government in Athens demands that the refugee burden within the EU to distribute more fairly and defend itself against plans in Germany to send refugees back to Greece if they have already received asylum there.