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Dozens of migrants dead, scores rescued from boats trying to reach Greek island of Crete and Spain, authorities say
CBS News • • world
Key Points:
- Greek authorities recovered 13 bodies from a migrant boat south of Crete, with one more migrant dying later at a health center, while the identities and causes of death remain unknown.
- A second boat off Crete was found with eight bodies and 28 survivors, all Sudanese nationals; two Sudanese suspected people smugglers were arrested based on survivor identifications.
- More than 180 migrants were found on three additional boats heading from North Africa to Crete, highlighting the increasing use of this route as a major migrant pathway into the EU.
- The eastern Mediterranean remains the busiest migrant entry route into the EU, particularly the Libya-to-Crete corridor, despite a reported 15% decrease in irregular crossings compared to last year.
- Separately, the death toll from a migrant boat capsizing off Senegal rose to 39, with only one survivor rescued; the incident underscores the perilous journeys many undertake to reach Europe amid economic hardship in Senegal.
