A Hellenic Coast Guard vessel patrols Greek waters in January 2023 (Image: Getty)

A huge search and rescue operation is under way after a migrant boat believed to be carrying 77 people sank off a Greek island. One person has died and 25 remain missing following the disaster near the island of Gavdos, south of Crete.

At least 51 people have been rescued, according to Greece‘s coastguard. A coastguard spokesman said on Monday: “Fifty-one were picked up by two boats that were in the area.” Survivors told authorities that 77 people had been on board the vessel when it sank near Gavdos. A major operation has since been launched to find those still missing, involving four ships and boats, a Frontex aircraft and a coastguard helicopter, according to Greek public broadcaster ERT News. Strong winds in the area have been hampering the search.

Migrants rescued off Crete and Gavdos arrive at Lavrio Port in July 2025 (Image: Getty)

The 51 people rescued from the sea were due to be taken to Crete, “where the prescribed procedures will be followed”, ERT reported.

Crete and Gavdos, which lie around 200 miles from the Libyan coast, have become a major entry point into Greece for asylum seekers.

Figures published by Greece’s ANA news agency in late August, citing the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, showed migrant arrivals had fallen by around 31 per cent.

Around 61,000 people arrived in Greece in the year to August 2025, compared with approximately 42,000 during the following 12 months.

In July, Greece’s conservative government suspended asylum claims for three months for migrants arriving by sea from North Africa. The government argued the measure would help deter crossings.

Migrants rescued off Crete and Gavdos in July 2025, key entry points into Greece (Image: Getty)

The ban was approved by parliament following a surge in asylum seekers reaching Crete and after talks with Libya’s Benghazi-based government aimed at stemming arrivals were cancelled in July.

The Greek government is also at odds with regional authorities in Crete over plans for a permanent transit facility on the island.

Draft legislation is being prepared which would require imprisonment for people whose asylum applications are rejected and the use of ankle monitors during a 30-day compliance period before deportation.

Greece has also been holding discussions with Germany and several other European Union countries over plans to establish “return hubs” outside the bloc to process migrants’ claims.

Undocumented migrants arriving in Crete generally face immediate arrest and temporary confinement before being transferred to closed detention camps on the Greek mainland.

Horror as Migrant Boat Carrying 77 People Sinks in Sea – Huge Search Launched

A major search-and-rescue operation was launched after a boat carrying migrants sank off the Greek island of Gavdos, leaving one person dead and around 25 others missing.

The vessel was believed to have been carrying 77 people when it went down south of Gavdos, an island located off the southern coast of Crete.

Greek authorities said 51 people had been rescued after nearby vessels reached the scene. Survivors told the coastguard that 77 people had been aboard the boat, leaving approximately 25 people unaccounted for.

The incident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by people attempting to cross the Mediterranean in overcrowded or unsuitable vessels.

Major search operation launched

The Greek coastguard began a large-scale search after receiving reports that the migrant boat had partially sunk.

Several vessels were sent to the area, alongside aircraft and a helicopter.

According to reports from Greek authorities and public broadcaster ERT, the operation involved four ships or boats, aircraft operated by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex, and a coastguard helicopter.

Strong winds complicated the operation, making it more difficult for rescue teams to search the surrounding waters.

The 51 survivors were taken towards Crete, where they were expected to undergo the procedures required by Greek authorities.

The search for those still missing remained the immediate priority.

One person confirmed dead

At least one person died in the disaster.

Greek authorities initially reported that one foreign national had been found unconscious after the boat went down. Later information from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that an Egyptian national was among those who died.

Egyptian officials said 16 Egyptian nationals were among the survivors.

The Egyptian government said it was coordinating with Greek authorities through its embassy in Athens as officials attempted to establish more details about the incident and the nationalities of those involved.

The precise circumstances surrounding the death and the identities of all those still missing were not immediately clear.

That uncertainty is common during maritime rescue operations, particularly when survivors are recovered by different vessels and weather conditions complicate the search.

Survivors reported 77 people aboard

The figure of 77 people comes from survivors rather than from a passenger manifest.

That distinction is important because people travelling on irregular migration routes often have no formal passenger list.

Greek coastguard officials said those rescued from the water told authorities that 77 people had been aboard when the vessel sank.

With 51 people rescued and one confirmed dead, approximately 25 remained missing according to the initial accounting.

The numbers could therefore change as authorities establish the identities of survivors and missing people.

Search-and-rescue authorities typically have to reconcile information from survivors with reports from relatives, national governments and other sources before a final passenger count can be established.

A dangerous route from North Africa

Gavdos and Crete have become important arrival points for people attempting to reach Europe from North Africa.

The islands are situated far from the Libyan coast. Gavdos is approximately 320 kilometres, or around 200 miles, from Libya.

That distance makes the crossing particularly dangerous for people travelling in vessels that may not be designed for long journeys in open water.

The route has become increasingly significant as migration patterns in the Mediterranean have changed.

While other routes have experienced changes in traffic, the crossing from Libya towards Crete has remained active.

The Greek government has responded with increasingly restrictive migration policies, arguing that reducing irregular arrivals is necessary to prevent deaths at sea and to maintain control of the country’s borders.

Humanitarian organisations, meanwhile, have repeatedly warned about the dangers of attempting such crossings and the risks faced by people who rely on smugglers.

Greece has tightened its asylum policy

The sinking occurred against the background of a major political dispute in Greece over migration.

In July, the Greek government introduced a temporary suspension of asylum applications for people arriving by sea from North Africa.

The measure followed an increase in arrivals to Crete and was defended by ministers as part of an effort to deter dangerous crossings.

The policy has attracted criticism from humanitarian organisations and international observers concerned about access to asylum procedures.

The Greek government has argued that it needs stronger measures to control irregular migration and reduce pressure on reception facilities.

The sinking off Gavdos demonstrates the human consequences of the broader migration crisis, regardless of the arguments over how governments should respond to it.

Crete under growing pressure

Crete has experienced a substantial increase in migration arrivals in recent years.

Figures published in August by Greece’s ANA news agency, citing the country’s Ministry of Migration and Asylum, indicated that arrivals had fallen compared with the previous 12-month period.

Approximately 42,000 migrants arrived in Greece during the year to August 2026, compared with about 61,000 during the previous year, representing a decline of around 31 per cent.

Despite the reduction, the government continues to face pressure over accommodation, processing and returns.

The arrival of boats carrying large numbers of people places additional demands on coastguard services, reception facilities and local authorities.

For Crete and nearby islands, the issue is also highly visible because arrivals can rapidly create pressure on local infrastructure.

The role of Frontex

European border agency Frontex was involved in the search operation.

Its aircraft and vessels were among the resources used to locate people following the sinking.

Frontex plays a role in supporting EU member states with border management and maritime operations.

Its involvement in rescue situations is particularly important in areas where large stretches of sea must be monitored.

The use of aircraft can allow search teams to cover much larger areas than would be possible using vessels alone.

However, finding people in open water remains extremely difficult.

A person who falls into the sea can quickly become separated from a vessel, while wind, waves and darkness can make visual identification extremely challenging.

The danger of irregular sea crossings

The disaster is another reminder of the risks associated with Mediterranean migration routes.

People attempting the journey may spend many hours or even days at sea.

Some vessels are overcrowded, poorly maintained or unsuitable for the conditions they encounter.

Smuggling networks can also provide little reliable information about the condition of boats or the length of journeys.

Once a vessel encounters mechanical problems or begins taking on water, the situation can deteriorate rapidly.

The people aboard may have limited access to life jackets or communications equipment.

Even when coastguards are alerted quickly, rescuers may face significant difficulties reaching a vessel in distress.

The Gavdos incident demonstrates how quickly a migration journey can turn into a mass-casualty emergency.

The political argument over deterrence

The tragedy is likely to feed the ongoing debate over whether tougher immigration policies can reduce dangerous crossings.

Greek ministers have argued that stronger controls and tougher consequences can deter people from attempting the journey.

The government has also pursued discussions with countries outside the European Union about migration arrangements and possible “return hubs”.

Critics argue that restrictive policies can push people towards more dangerous routes or leave vulnerable people without safe ways to seek protection.

The evidence surrounding deterrence is complex.