An extensive search and rescue operation was launched today in the maritime area 25 nautical miles south of Gavdos island, coordinated by the Unified Search and Rescue Coordination Center (EKSED). Two boats were located in the area carrying a total of 117 migrants, who were rescued with assistance from a Panamanian-flagged tanker sailing in the area.
The rescued individuals were then safely transferred to a Greek Coast Guard vessel and transported to Souda port.
Meanwhile, another 57 foreign nationals were located in the broader maritime area of Trypiti off Gavdos. Their transfer is being carried out by a Frontex European force vessel and a Coast Guard boat to Chora Sfakion.
Migration minister on 174 migrants rescued off Gavdos: “They will be held in detention”
As stated in a post by Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris, “the illegal migrants who entered from Libya in recent hours were arrested by the coast guard, have no right to apply for asylum, will not be taken to accommodation facilities, but will be held in detention by police until the return procedure is initiated. The migration ministry is assisting the entire effort and is creating additional detention spaces in its facilities“.
Οι παράνομοι μετανάστες που εισήλθαν από τη Λιβύη τις τελευταίες ώρες συνελήφθησαν από το λιμενικό,δεν έχουν δικαίωμα υποβολής ασύλου,δεν θα οδηγηθούν σε χώρους φιλοξενίας, αλλά θα κρατηθούν έγκλειστοι από την αστυνομία έως ότου κινηθεί η διαδικασία της επιστροφής τους. Το…
— Θάνος Πλεύρης (@thanosplevris) July 19, 2025
