Good morning Crete, here we are: Explosion in migrant arrivals despite €5,000 fare per person. Coastguard overwhelmed.
Explosion of migrant arrivals on Crete
The island of Crete has seen a sharp increase in migrant arrivals over a short period.
Authorities carried out hundreds of rescues within just a few hours as more people attempted to reach its shores.
This surge has created significant challenges for local services.
There are calls for Crete to be included in specific operational frameworks to better manage the situation.
The rise in migrant flows reflects broader regional pressures.
Coordinated response efforts are needed, but it’s not always clear how quickly those can be put in place.
The migrant arrivals in Crete have sharply increased, with over 400 people rescued within a short period in the southern coastal areas.
Rescue teams have recovered groups from multiple boats near small islands, transferring them to safe locations for temporary shelter.
A designated reception centre in the region currently accommodates hundreds of these individuals as they await further processing.
The authorities have arranged for a number of migrants to be transported to a mainland reception facility to continue the required procedures.
Local officials highlight the need to categorise the area as one with intensified migration activity, which would enable improved allocation of resources.
Such a classification facilitates the deployment of extra border security personnel and technical support, along with financial compensation for the staff involved.
Statistics for the current year already show that the number of migration incidents far exceeds those recorded in the previous year.
This upward trend has raised concerns about the capacity of local infrastructure and the ongoing operational response.
Key Figures |
Data |
|---|---|
Rescued Migrants (recent hours) |
418 |
Migrants transported to mainland centre |
~190 |
Total migration incidents in 2025 |
65+ |
Total arrivals for 2025 to date |
3,147 |
Total arrivals in 2024 |
3,020 |
The situation is prompting calls for enhanced staffing levels at maritime patrol units.
There’s also a push for increased collaboration between local and national authorities.
Particular attention is on ensuring timely aid and maintaining humanitarian standards amid the surge.
Responsibility for coordinating migration management falls to various government bodies, who are actively reviewing operational priorities.
The complex logistics involved include rescue efforts at sea, arrival registration, shelter provision, and onward transport arrangements.
Again New Migrant Arrivals Mark the Start of the Day in Crete
Recent days have seen an unprecedented increase in migrant arrivals across Crete.
In the last 24 hours alone, two new groups were discovered, adding to roughly 140 people already sheltered at the temporary holding facility near Heraklion port.
One group of about 50 individuals was found on Diskos beach, located in the Lentas area of Gortyna Municipality.
Another 51 people were rescued and are currently being taken to Kalo Limenes.
However, transfer to Heraklion port is not possible at the moment because the holding area, formerly a cold storage warehouse, is full.
Local authorities are under pressure to assist.
Municipalities of Gortyna and Faistos have been asked to provide initial care.
This includes permission for reception, medical attention, and food supply — at least until the late afternoon when capacity may be reassessed.
Meanwhile, more than 270 migrants have also arrived on Gavdos island over the same timeframe.
Law enforcement has arrested at least four suspected traffickers connected to these arrivals.
Location |
Number of Migrants |
Current Status |
|---|---|---|
Diskos Beach |
~50 |
Recently located, awaiting support |
Kalo Limenes |
51 |
Rescued, en route for care |
Heraklion Port |
~140 |
Facility full, no new transfers |
Gavdos Island |
270+ |
Arrived, some traffickers arrested |
The surge in arrivals continues to challenge response teams.
Coordination among local municipalities is needed to manage reception and basic needs effectively — but let’s be honest, it’s a scramble most days.
Key Points:
- Migrants keep arriving in large numbers, often exceeding local facility capacities.
- Holding spaces quickly become overcrowded, slowing transfers and aid.
- Immediate support depends heavily on cooperation between various municipal authorities.
- Law enforcement actively pursues those involved in smuggling operations.
5,000 € the fare for the inflatable boat trip from Libya
Authorities intercepted a group of 41 migrants near the coast of Crete, arriving by an inflatable boat.
The journey began from the shores of Tobruk in Libya on 11 May 2025.
Among the migrants were seven minors.
The group paid various fees, including €5,000 each, to make this dangerous crossing.
A 20-year-old Egyptian man was identified as the organiser of this journey.
He was arrested for facilitating illegal entry, risking lives, and other related charges.
The migrants were taken to the port of Heraklion under the supervision of special coastguard units.
Detail |
|
|---|---|
Number of migrants |
41 (34 adults, 7 minors) |
Departure location |
Tobruk, Libya |
Arrival location |
Coast near Heraklion, Crete |
Date of departure |
11 May 2025 |
Arrested organiser |
20-year-old Egyptian male |
Price paid per migrant |
€5,000 + local currency fees |
Charges against organiser |
Illegal entry facilitation, life risk, others |
Migrants’ condition |
Safe, transferred to port |
Boat status |
Inflatable boat destroyed after interception |
The coastguard discovered the arrival after being notified of a boat heading towards the beach of Chrysostomos in the Faistos area.
The inflatable vessel was promptly intercepted and the migrants escorted safely to Heraklion port.
This case highlights the costs and dangers involved in illegal migration routes from Libya to Greece.
The €5,000 “fare” is part of the payment migrants make to smuggling networks for passage despite the serious risk to their safety.
Following the arrest, investigations are ongoing by the central port authority of Heraklion to address this case and prevent similar incidents.
The inflatable boat used in the crossing was destroyed to hinder its reuse.
Warning from the Western Crete Coast Guard Staff Association on Service Needs
The Western Crete Coast Guard Staff Association is sounding the alarm about the surge in migration flows in the region. The numbers have jumped, and, honestly, it looks like things could get even busier as summer rolls in.
They’re talking about a 350% spike compared to last year. The number of illegal arrivals has just skyrocketed.
Last year, there were 20 incidents and about 1,000 irregular arrivals. Now, we’re looking at 75 incidents and 3,565 people—already.
Some say the total could blow past 10,000 by the end of the year. Crete’s basically become a main entry point, while other areas are reporting fewer arrivals.
This whole situation is making it pretty clear that the Coast Guard needs more muscle. The staff has to be ready for a much heavier workload, especially with tourism about to ramp up.
The Association keeps flagging a few issues that won’t go away:
- Crew shortages on patrol vessels: A lot of boats are still running with just one crew member. That’s risky, to say the least.
- Health and safety dangers: Moving migrants in packed buses and guarding them isn’t exactly safe for anyone involved. There’s a real need for more hands and better safety measures, plain and simple.
- Extended duty of Special Mission Teams: Some teams are stuck on the Souda-Piraeus route for days on end. Not enough staff means people are stretched thin.
So, what’s the fix? The Association’s got a couple of ideas:
- Immediate reinforcement of local services by rotating extra staff in each month. This isn’t new—it’s already happening in the Eastern Aegean, so why not here?
- Doubling crews on patrol boats to make things safer and smoother. Maybe that means pulling folks from other sectors if they have to.
Issue |
Current Situation |
Required Action |
|---|---|---|
Crew numbers on patrol vessels |
Single crew operating |
Double crew on all vessels |
Personnel safety during migrant transport |
High risk due to overcrowded conditions |
Adequate staffing and safety protocols |
Special Mission Team workload |
Long continuous shifts on passenger ships |
Rotate staff monthly as done in other regions |
Estimated Migration Figures |
|
|---|---|
2024 incidents and arrivals |
20 incidents, 1,000 illegal arrivals |
2025 incidents and arrivals (to date) |
75 incidents, 3,565 illegal arrivals |
Projected total by year-end |
Over 10,000 illegal arrivals expected |
