Athens, Jun. 20, (dpa/GNA) – The Greek coastguard has rescued hundreds of migrants from distress at sea south of the island of Crete in several operations, local radio reported on Friday.
About 700 people were rescued from boats coming from Libya, Greek radio ERTnews cited the coastguard saying.
The boats were reportedly drifting in international waters, unable to manoeuvre.
Many migrants rescued on Friday morning underwent medical examinations as their identities were being verified. They will then be taken to registration camps on the mainland, according to local reporters.
Four cargo ships also took part in the rescue operation.
Over the past weeks, higher numbers of migrants have been arriving on Cretan shores.
On Thursday, about 400 migrants were rescued off the island of Gavdos, also south of Crete, in three different operations.
Those rescued said that they had set sail for Crete from the Libyan port of Tobruk.
The migrants come from North African and Middle Eastern countries, Greek radio reported, again citing the coastguard.
According to the UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR), 3,430 migrants have arrived on Crete since the beginning of the year up to May 11. With the new arrivals, a total of around 6,500 migrants had now arrived on the island, according to Greek media.
The government in Athens is calling for a fairer distribution of the refugee burden within the EU and is resisting plans in Germany to send refugees back to Greece if they have already been granted asylum there.
GNA
PDC