More than 30 people have been rescued overnight from a migrant boat just south of Gavdos, Greece’s southernmost island. Greece's southernmost islands continue to see an increase in migrant arrivals since August.
According to the Greek Coast Guard, the migrants were taken aboard a vessel operated by Frontex, the EU’s border and coast guard agency, and brought to safety. They were later transferred to the port of Karave on Gavdos.
The backgrounds of the irregular migrants are not yet known, according to the Greek news platform eKathimerini. None of the passengers were believed to require serious medical assistance.
Renewed spike in arrivals from Libya
The incident highlights a recent rise in migrant arrivals in southern Greece, particularly on Gavdos and its much larger neighbouring island, Crete.
The two islands have been witnessing a renewed spike since August, with near-daily rescues taking place around the maritime region.
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Last week, the Greek coast guard rescued nearly 120 irregular migrants in two separate operations near Crete.
On October 19, 12 people, including an infant, died in two separate incidents near the Greek islands of Lesbos and Samos.
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Bangladeshi and Sudanese nationals make up major share of migrants
Greece remains a major entry point into the EU for migrants arriving by sea, with many boats departing from Libya. The dangerous crossing can take several days.
Of the roughly 34,000 migrants who have reached Greece so far this year, nearly 20,000 crossed from Libya, according to eKathimerini. Crete and nearby Gavdos have become key destinations on this route, placing significant strain on local reception facilities.
For the first half of 2026, data obtained by Refugee Support Aegean from the Greek Coast Guard recorded 8,552 arrivals on Crete and Gavdos. Of these, 3,159 were Sudanese nationals, or approximately 36.9%. Bangladeshis made up the largest group, with 3,536 arrivals.
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According to UN data, Sudanese nationals account for about one-third of arrivals in Greece in 2026. Sudan’s civil war, which began in April 2023, has triggered one of the world’s largest displacement crises. Around 14 million people, a quarter of the country’s population, have been forced to flee their homes, with 9 million displaced within Sudan and 4.4 million across its borders.
Many Sudanese fleeing the conflict travel through Libya, from where boats cross the Mediterranean to Greece.
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