Four Egyptian nationals, aged 20, 21, 21 and 36, were arrested as the alleged traffickers of 501 immigrants who arrived by fishing south of Crete on the night of June 21, according to a Coast Guard announcement.

The arrests, according to Neakriti, were held in the context of the preliminary investigation by the Rethymnon Port Authority, in collaboration with the Department of Security and Protection of Maritime Borders (DAFTHS).

Categories have been formed at the expense of the detainees for:

  • Illegal entry into the country (Law 3386/2005),
  • Facilitating for the transfer of irregular migrants (Law 5038/2023),
  • Co -operative (Article 45 CC),
  • Exposure to life risk (Article 306 CC).

The rescued immigrants themselves said they started from the Tobruk coast to Libya on the night of June 20, traveling under adverse conditions.

The tracking operation began when the Single Research and Rescue Coordination Center (EKSED) informed the Port Authorities of Agia Galini, Good Ports, Red Pyrgos and Paleochora about the presence of a fisherman with a difficult condition, about 49 nautical miles south of Crete.

At the point they were mobilized:

  • Patrol vessel – ELAKT. (PLL)
  • Lifeguard boat (N/C)
  • Offshore ship (l)
  • Navy frigate
  • as well as three floating ships, following EKSED instructions.

The rescue of the immigrants was carried out with the help of the cargo ship “Muazzez K” with a Barbados flag, which collected the occupants with the help of PLL and N/C. They were subsequently taken to the mooring Messara and were safely transported to the port of Agia Galini.

The 501 foreigners are temporarily accommodated in Rethymnon, accompanied by port executives.

The Port Authority announcement

“In the evenings on 21.06.2025, the Port Authorities of St. Galini, the good ports, the Red Pyrgos and Paleochora were informed by the Single Coordination Center of Research and Rescue (EKSED) of the LS-ELAKT Headquarters. For a fishing vessel with foreign occupants in a difficult position, in the marine area of ​​49 nm. south of Crete. Immediately, for the spot, a SS-ELAKT patrol ship sailed. (PLS), a Lifeguard of LS-ELAKT. (N/C), an Open Sea-ELAKT ship. (Path), a frigate of the Navy, and three floating ships were pledged by the EKSED.

The fishing vessel was found by the PLA and the “Muazzez K” Barbados flag ship, recovered his 501 foreign occupants, with the help of PLL and N/C. The foreigners were then transferred to the bark of the Gulf of Messara, where they were taken to the PLL and N/C and were safely transported to the port of Agia Galini. Subsequently, they were taken to a temporary hospitality in Rethymnon, accompanied by LS-ELAKT executives. Preliminary investigation is carried out by the Port Authority of Rethymnon.

During the preliminary investigation by the Port Authority of Rethymnon, in collaboration with the Department of Security and Protection of Maritime Borders (DAFTHS), four foreigners (Egyptian nationals) aged 21, 36, 21 and 20 years old were recognized as the traffickers of the Article 6 and 20 years. Country “, Article 25 of Law 5038/2023” Facility “of Article 45 of the CC. “Co -operative” and Article 306 BC. “Report”. According to a statement by the rescuers, they began on 20.06.2025 on the Tobruk coast of Libya.

The Department of Security and Protection of Maritime Borders, in collaboration with the Rethymnon Port Authority, analyzes and processes in depth all the elements that have emerged and investigates the possible extension of the action of the members of the criminal organization in question, as well as its cooperation with other members of organized circuits.

The KSS facilities examines the hospitality of immigrants – a common front for the claims by the municipalities of Crete

Late on Tuesday afternoon (24/6), the local authorities’ meeting on the issue of migration flow management, held in the Decentralized Administration of Crete, was completed.

During the meeting, it was decided to immediately send an official document to the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum, requesting the responsibility of the political leadership to cover the costs of feeding and moving immigrants. The costs of these actions, as highlighted, cannot be borne by municipalities, which are already facing serious financial pressure.

The participating mayors said they were willing to contribute to the temporary hospitality of the newcomers, provided that the necessary support is provided. As they have pointed out, it should be provided for the immediate transfer of immigrants to a predetermined structure with their arrival to the island, so that they do not remain exposed.

In this context, it was submitted the proposal to use the former KSSA facilities (Central Cooperative Union of Sultanina), as a temporary hospitality center. It was explicitly emphasized that it was a crossing space and not a permanent installation point, with the aim of rapidly promoting immigrants to inland, mainly in Athens.

Finally, there has been strong dissatisfaction with the ministry’s attitude to date, as – as it was noted – the problem has been left on the backs of local government, without sufficient support, at a time when challenges are escalating.

A reaction from the KSS to rumored hospitality of immigrants – “No space concession”

The reaction of the KSS President was strong after the news was made public that the company’s building is intended for a temporary hospitality center of 501 immigrants who recently arrived in Heraklion.

In his announcement, inter alia, he states: “No one and never asked ‘KSS ASA SA’ any space for the creation of a structure of immigrants. In any case, the Company disagrees vertically and will not grant any area of ​​its property for such or similar use. “