More than 250 migrants and asylum seekers were rescued in four separate operations off southern Crete by noon on Wednesday, Greece’s coast guard has said.
In the latest operation, a Frontex drone spotted a boat carrying about 39 people 19 nautical miles southeast of Kali Limenes, prompting an operation coordinated by Greece’s Joint Rescue Coordination Center.
A coast guard vessel picked up the migrants and was transporting them to the port of Kali Limenes.
Earlier Wednesday, about 218 migrants were rescued from boats in three separate operations south and southwest of Ierapetra.
The four operations came amid increased migrant arrivals along the sea route from North Africa to Crete, which has emerged as a growing entry point into the European Union.
