Greek public broadcaster ERT reported 327 migrants in total were intercepted in Greek territorial waters in the past 48 hours.

The Greek coastguard said that on August 13, 87 migrants traveling on two different boats were brought to safety, which were both situated about 40 kilometers away from Crete's port of Kaloi Limenes. 

Meanwhile on August 12, about 240 migrants were picked up during five separate rescue operations off the southern coast of Crete and its nearby island of Gavdos.

Several of the rescues involved the use of reconnaissance aircraft by the EU border agency Frontex.

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'Dozens' of migrant boats en route to Crete

Crete and Gavdos remain the main destination for migrants hoping to reach Greece from North African shores. Over 50 percent of all irregular entries to Greece took place via this route this year. Out of the total sea arrivals this year in Greece, around two-thirds entered Crete.

During the summer months, there's usually an increase of arrivals due to better weather conditions. However, journeys across the Mediterranean are just as dangerous in warmer temperatures.

According to sources within the Greek coastguard cited by the dpa news agency, there are dozens of boats currently trying to reach Crete, with their main point of departure being Tobruk in Libya, around 300 kilometers south of the two islands. The journey typically takes 36 hours or longer.

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Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris recently claimed that more than half a million people were currently in Libya, waiting to make the sea crossing over to Europe.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 10,000 irregular migrants have already arrived in Crete since the beginning of the year.

Read AlsoTobruk-to-Crete migrant crossings intensify as Greece enforces strict sea patrols

with dpa