Twenty-two migrants have died after their boat drifted for six days without food or water off the coast of Crete, with 26 survivors rescued from the sea 52 nautical miles south of Ierapetra on Friday
02:24, 29 Mar 2026
Twenty-two migrants have lost their lives after their vessel became lost at sea and drifted for six days without food or water.
The devastating incident took place off the coast of Crete on Friday, with 26 survivors pulled from the water 52 nautical miles south of Ierapetra. Among those rescued were 24 men, one woman, and a child, all of whom were taken to Kali Limenes for medical attention.
Survivors told authorities their boat departed from Tobruk, Libya, on 21 March, carrying 48 people, according to Greek outlet Documento. The vessel became lost during the crossing and drifted for six days with no food or water, leading to the deaths of 22 people whose bodies were cast into the sea in desperation. Coast Guard and police officers transferred the majority of survivors to the port of Heraklion, while two were taken to hospital for urgent medical treatment.
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During preliminary enquiries, it emerged that those on board had paid enormous sums to make the crossing to Greece, with each person handing over as much as £7,500.
Two South Sudanese nationals, aged 19 and 22, were subsequently identified as the people traffickers behind the fatal voyage and taken into custody, reports the Express.
A significant and growing migration route from Africa to Greece runs from Libya — particularly Tobruk — to the southern Greek islands of Crete and Gavdos.
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Largely used by Sudanese, Egyptian, and Pakistani nationals, this route has witnessed thousands of arrivals, prompting tighter Greek border controls and increased detentions. The stretch from eastern Libya to Crete and Gavdos has emerged as a key, treacherous corridor for refugees and migrants.
More than 8,000 people had arrived via this particular route by July 2025, with large numbers of migrants making the crossing from Libya.