Greek authorities say they rescued 42 migrants from a boat that got into trouble off the southern coast of Crete on Thursday. Searches are ongoing for at least three declared missing.
On Thursday, (May 16), a migrant boat is reported to have capsized around 50 kilometers south of the Greek island of Crete.
The Greek coast guard said it reached the vessel fairly quickly and were able to rescue 42 migrants on board, with the help of a helicopter, a cargo ship and their own patrol boat. Searches are ongoing for at least three people believed to be still missing.
The searches, reported the German press agency dpa, will continue throughout Thursday. The agency also reported that the nationality of the migrants on board the boat had not yet been reported. However, they believe that the boat set off either from Libya or Egypt, according to coast guard sources.
Distress call sent to Italian authorities
According to the Greek newspaper Ekathimerini, the migrants on board sent a distress call to the Italian authorities "at some point on Wednesday night." The Italian authorities then informed Greece, since the boat was in their search and rescue zone.
Ekathimerini reports the coast guard believes there were at least 45 migrants on the boat before it capsized. The Greek air force is also helping in the search, reported Ekathimerini.
The Greek coast guard believe the boat may have been intending to sail to Italy but went off route and found itself near Crete instead, reported the Greek news agency ANA.
Crete and Gavdos
The Greek government has pledged extra financial support for the islands of Crete and its small satellite Gavdos following an increase in migrant arrivals recorded on this route. Gavdos in particular is tiny, with no real infrastructure and a very small resident population. Because of its position in the Mediterranean, some migrant boats were landing on it, but there are no reception facilities there to look after those who land.
In March, the EU signed a 7.4 billion euro deal with Egypt, to offer financial and development support for the country, in return for more migration controls.
Since the beginning of the year, according to the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, almost 1,500 migrants have landed in Crete.
With dpa and ENA