Boat Sinking Off Crete Claims 13 Lives as Greek Coastguard Rescues Survivors
All 18 survivors of the vessel were Sudanese nationals, with four requiring hospital care.
By Ayanda Boateng ·
Greek authorities confirmed at least 13 deaths following the sinking of a migrant vessel off the coast of Crete. The coastguard pulled 18 individuals from the water, identifying all as Sudanese nationals. Hospital records indicate four of the rescued were admitted for treatment, including a toddler.
Officials stated that the specific cause of the fatalities remained unclear. They suggested the vessel may have been trapped at sea for several days by strong winds, preventing it from reaching shore. A Moroccan-flagged container ship first spotted the boat approximately 15 nautical miles, or 28 kilometers, from the Cretan coastline. An anonymous coastguard official told Reuters that the survivors were shivering from the cold.
This incident occurred on the same day Greek coastguard teams conducted three separate rescue operations off the country's coast. Those efforts resulted in the rescue of another 187 people. Crete has emerged as a primary entry point for migrants traveling from North Africa and the Middle East toward Europe.
Data from this year shows that over 22,000 people landed on Crete out of a total 86,400 arrivals in Europe by sea. United Nations figures indicate Greece has received more than 37,000 migrants this year, surpassing the total count for all of 2025. In response to these rising numbers, the Greek government announced plans to open a temporary housing complex near Heraklion.
Greece was the focal point of the European migration crisis in 2015 and 2016, when nearly a million people reached its islands, largely via Turkey. Arrivals decreased as border controls tightened. In recent years, however, crossings from Libya have increased sharply. Many travelers are fleeing conflict in Sudan, while others, including individuals from Bangladesh, seek better economic opportunities.
