A total of 77 migrants were rescued from an unstable sailing yacht in a major overnight operation between the islands of Amorgos and Astypalaia in the southern Aegean Sea, Greek authorities reported on Monday (June 24).

The operation involved three coast guard vessels, four merchant ships in the vicinity, and two smaller private boats. The rescue was initiated after passengers on the yacht contacted emergency services for help.

According to the Greek coast guard, nobody was reported missing or injured following the rescue, and that the migrants' nationalities have not yet been identified. The group was transported to the island of Naxos in the Cyclades, where they were given temporary accommodation.

According to the Associated Press (AP), the 77 people were found on a route frequently used by smuggling networks to transport migrants from Turkey to Italy, bypassing the heavily monitored waters around Greece's eastern Aegean islands.

The departure point of the migrants remains unknown.

The AP also reported that such sea crossings are more prevalent in the summer months when weather conditions are favorable, and that the higher number of yachts chartered by tourists visiting the popular Greek islands allows smugglers to operate more inconspicuously.

Also read: Over 1,000 migrants have reached a tiny Greek island in recent months

Greek islands near Turkish coast act as primary irregular migration entry points

Greece serves as an important entry point for migrant smugglers aiming to enter the European Union (EU), primarily due to its geographical position at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Greece's extensive coastline and proximity to Turkey also make its maritime borders more porous.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), there has been a notable increase in migrant arrivals in Greece, primarily through the Aegean Sea and the land borders with Turkey. As of June 2024, Greece has received over 16,000 irregular migrants, marking a 35% increase compared to the same period in 2023, IOM Greece reported. The majority of these migrants escaped conflict in countries including Syria and Afghanistan, and sought entry into the EU via Greece.

Greece's primary entry points continue to be its islands, particularly Lesvos, Chios, and Samos, which are close to the Turkish coast. Additionally, there has been a shift with increasing land arrivals through the Evros River region on the Greek-Turkish border, indicating a diversification in migration routes, according to IOM.

With AP

Also read: Greece: Migrant flows from Turkey are decreasing, authorities say