Crete: Dramatic state with migration

Dimensions of crisis is taking on migration to Crete, as migratory flows have deteriorated rapidly lately. It is noteworthy that on Sunday, there was a number of Refugee/Migrant Arrivals Arrivals from the Libyan coast, with 959 people to land in one day, while the flows continue on Monday.

Due to the deterioration of the situation and suffocating pressure on the island, by the order of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, by the end of June, Navy ships are now operating in international waters, in 12 nautical miles from the Libyan coasts, in order to assist the flow of flows.

Among other things, with the aim of collaborating with Benghazi, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis met on Sunday with General Khalifa Haphtar. The Greek effort continues with the visit of the Minister of Migration and Asylum, Thanou Plevris on Tuesday in Libya. Mr Plevris will accompany the EU Brunner Migration and Home Affairs Commissioner. The aim of the mission to which the Italian and Malta interior ministers also participate in is the diplomatic management of the phenomenon and to find a common European solution.

Mr Plevris, according to ministry sources in the RES-EIA, goes to Libya in search of cooperation with the country’s authorities to prevent. In addition, the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum clarifies that it has no involvement – in the process of arresting and transferring the illegal entry refugees/immigrants, until they are transferred to the structures of the Ministry, where they are recorded and identified.

New irregular immigrants to Crete on Monday

A new incident with refugees/immigrants on the south coast of Heraklion are managed by authorities. These are 68 people who landed on Chrysostom beach and who were transferred to the good ports. From the area they are expected to leave for temporary residence in Heraklion in the afternoon.

In addition, at least 489 people have been collected and survived in the morning in two separate search and rescue companies in maritime areas south of Crete and Gavdos, carried out under the coordination of the Single Research and Rescue Coordination Center (EKSED) and with the active participation of the Hellenic Coast Guard. FRONTEX.

The first operation took place early in the morning when a ship of Frontex forces found two boats in the maritime area south of Gavdos, where about 230 were aboard.

The second operation took place a few hours later, when three more boats were found with 259 foreign occupants in the maritime area south of Crete.

The Coast Guard’s open sea ship rushed to the spot and completed the safe meditation of the occupants, who were also transferred to the port of Paleochora.

The Deputy Mayor of Chania, Eleni Zervoudakistated to ERT Her anxiety about the smooth outcome of hospitality, as the suffocating situation will reach the temporary hospitality. “We wish we had no new incidents, because we will really have where to put them on them » Ms. Zervoudakis mentioned.

Constant deterioration of the situation

Migration pressure from Libya to Crete is not a new phenomenon, but is gradually exacerbated by September 2023, when the first flows began to appear. By an average of 120 arrivals per month, the numbers increased rapidly, reaching 528 in February 2024. The year closed with average 400 arrivals monthly and in total with 4,820 arriving.

The escalation continued in 2025, with arrivals already amounting to 7,124 people by June 30, according to Port Authority. In particular, June set a new record with 2,564 arrivals in a month. As the European Commission President, Ursula von der Layen, characteristically stated, in a letter to 27 in late June, ‘Illegal crossings to the European Union are now coming 93% from Libya. “

Cry of the Mayors of the Mayors in Crete for Migration

The Municipality of Agios Vasilios is a Municipality of First Reception. Speaking to Cretalive, the mayor, Yiannis Tatarakis, blames serious responsibilities at the Ministry of Immigration. According to him, appropriately to Heraklion, Rethymnon and Chania should be indicated and formed where immigrants will be hosted for 3-4 days. “And because in Chania there is the site of Agia, Heraklion and Rethymnon should move immediately.”

The Mayor of Phaistos, Grigoris Nikolidakis, is also in full despair, as his area is also a Municipality of first reception. They have reached the point of making their cross when they come out with boats with 50-70 people. “What are we going to do?” wonders in Cretalive.

For his part, the Mayor of SfakiaGiannis Zervos, It describes the whole situation in the site with dark colors. “Human is done and will continue to be done, and let’s not take a single euro as a municipality. We will offer these people something to eat and drink, medical help, whatever they need at the human level. From now on, however, we can’t do anything else. If there are no political and transnational agreements, we cannot manage it. They are stacked at the port of Sfakia, which is the third move in Crete during the summer months and the picture is alien for tourism. Ports have their own farm vehicles to take them to the courtyard of the municipality. ”

In Gavdos, the mayor Lilian Stefanaki AIt is that yes the situation is difficult, much more in the midst of a tourist season, but it is currently manageable as those who come out depart from the island or the same day or the next day. “Yesterday 120 immigrants came out. We have organized a place where they are hosted for these hours and we are all trying to manage the situation, “but recognizes much greater the pressure now received by other Municipalities of Crete or the Ports. “What about these people, really. The ports have been exhausted … “

The dramatic situation prevailing in Crete In the last few days, with the migratory flows on the rise, it is also shown in a Zarpanews video. The Port Authority sends Crete on the open sea car for the collection of hundreds of refugees and immigrants.