Greece Rescues Nearly 540 Migrants Off Crete in Major Operation

Greece’s Coast Guard has rescued approximately 545 migrants from a fishing boat off the southernmost island of Gavdos, marking one of the largest groups to reach the country in recent months. The migrants, primarily from Bangladesh, Egypt, and Pakistan, were found 16 nautical miles off Gavdos and are being taken to the port of Agia Galini on the nearby island of Crete. This rescue operation highlights the ongoing migration crisis, with Crete and Gavdos experiencing a surge in migrant boats, mainly from Libya, over the past year. The Greek government has prioritized deporting rejected asylum seekers, and the EU is set to implement new migration rules in mid-2026 to support countries like Greece, Cyprus, Spain, and Italy.