Greece's Coast Guard Rescues Hundreds Amid Rising Migration Pressures

The Greek Coast Guard rescued approximately 545 migrants from a fishing vessel near the island of Gavdos, highlighting a significant increase in migrant arrivals in the region. Many of these journeys originate from Libya, and deadly incidents have become increasingly frequent along this perilous path. A new EU migration pact is anticipated to aid frontline nations like Greece.

In a dramatic rescue operation, Greece's Coast Guard has successfully saved around 545 migrants from a fishing boat off Gavdos Island, marking one of the largest groups to reach Greece in recent months. The operation took place roughly 16 nautical miles from Gavdos, and the migrants were subsequently brought safely to Agia Galini on Crete.

This incident draws attention to the ongoing migration challenges facing Greece, which was a focal point of the 2015-16 crisis. Although the influx of migrants waned in subsequent years, there has been a noticeable uptick in arrivals from Libya to Crete and Gavdos recently, often resulting in fatal accidents.

With the forthcoming EU pact on migration and asylum, set to be enacted by mid-2026, countries like Greece, Cyprus, Spain, and Italy are expected to receive increased support in managing migratory pressures. Meanwhile, the Greek government under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasizes the prompt deportation of those denied asylum.

(With inputs from agencies.)