20 Migrants Die Trying To Reach Greece’s Crete

Twenty people have died over the weekend trying to reach Greece’s island of Crete, which has become a main destination for migrants headed for the European Union, authorities said on Monday.

Eight bodies were found on one boat and 12 on another, while some 40 people were rescued off both, the Greek coast guard said on Monday.

Maritime police launched an emergency rescue late Saturday after a boat issued an alarm signal, with strong winds making sea conditions difficult, the coast guard said.

Around 28 survivors and one body, all Sudanese nationals, were picked up by another boat sailing nearby, then transferred to a police vessel and taken to Crete, authorities had said on Sunday.

During the night from Sunday to Monday, the coast guard found their boat, with seven additional bodies on board, it said.

In a separate incident, 12 bodies were found on a boat south of the island on Monday, while 18 people were rescued, the coast guard said.

Crete has become one of the main entry points into the EU for migrants departing from Libya and attempting the dangerous crossing to Greece.

Many of the attempted crossings turn deadly when the vessels sink or run into trouble.

AFP