327 Migrants Intercepted Near Popular Holiday Island Loved by British Tourists in Just 48 Hours as Authorities Issue Major Warning

Crete, a popular holiday island visited by many British tourists, and the smaller island of Gavdos have become the main arrival points for migrants travelling from North Africa to Greece.

Greek authorities intercepted 327 migrants near Crete in just 48 hours, according to the country’s public broadcaster ERT.

On August 13, the Hellenic Coast Guard rescued 87 people from two overcrowded boats around 40 kilometres from Kaloi Limenes, a port on the southern coast of Crete. The migrants were brought safely to land.

A day earlier, around 240 migrants were rescued during five separate operations near southern Crete and the island of Gavdos. Aircraft operated by Frontex, the European Union’s border agency, helped locate some of the boats.

Crete and Gavdos have become key destinations for people attempting the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean. More than half of all migrants entering Greece illegally this year have reportedly used this route. Around two-thirds of migrants arriving in Greece by sea have landed on Crete.

Sources from the Greek coastguard said dozens of boats are currently attempting to reach the islands. Most of them are believed to be leaving from Tobruk in eastern Libya, which is around 300 kilometres south of Crete.

The journey across the Mediterranean normally takes at least 36 hours. Migrants often travel in overcrowded and unsafe boats, leaving them at serious risk if the weather changes or the vessels develop problems.

Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has claimed that more than half a million people are currently in Libya waiting for an opportunity to cross the Mediterranean and enter Europe.

Figures from the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, show that more than 10,000 migrants have already arrived on Crete since the beginning of the year.

The number of crossings usually increases during the summer because the sea is calmer. However, the long journey remains extremely dangerous at any time of the year, especially when smugglers place large numbers of people in boats that may not be suitable for travelling such a long distance.