File photo. [InTime News]
A total of 101 migrants were rescued from two boats off the coast of Crete on Thursday, authorities said.
The migrants were located 38 nautical miles southeast of Kali Limenes, in southern Crete, after being spotted by a vessel operating under Frontex, the EU’s border and coast guard agency. They were safely transferred to the port of Kaloi Limenes, southern Crete, where authorities will carry out reception, registration and identification procedures.
Earlier on Thursday, another 69 migrants were rescued near the islet of Gavdos, Europe’s southernmost point, south of Crete.
According to official figures from the Hellenic Coast Guard, migration arrivals from Libya to Gavdos and southern Crete increased by more than 50% in May, highlighting growing pressure on migration routes in the eastern Mediterranean.
