The Greek Minister for Migration has just reported that only 75 migrants arrived in Crete in September, and now the next three boats are already on their way! But at least there is a new, state-of-the-art coastguard vessel for the island, where hundreds of migrants have been stranded for over a month.
Valid until yesterday: Only 75 migrants have arrived in Crete so far in September, and a closed facility is planned.
Thanos Plevris, Minister of Migration and Asylum, reported a sharp drop in migrant arrivals on Crete at the start of September—just 75 people. He called the number manageable and credited recent migration control policies for the change.
August saw an 80% decrease in arrivals compared to July. The minister tied the trend to temporary asylum suspension measures, which he described as an emergency step to protect citizens.
Before the suspension in July, weekly arrivals sometimes topped 2,600, and July finished with about 3,650 arrivals. That’s a big contrast with the much lower figures after the new rules kicked in.
Even with fewer arrivals, Plevris says migration flow needs careful management. He confirmed plans for a closed reception center in Crete, like those on Lesbos, Samos, and Kos.
Setting up the center will take time, though. For now, they’re using temporary spaces in places like Rethymno and Chania until a permanent facility is built.
He insists this approach balances security with humanitarian needs. The ministry wants to process migrants efficiently and crack down on illegal entry.
Plevris also pointed out that new laws on illegal migration bring stricter penalties. People caught staying unlawfully face detention and criminal charges.
The policy aims to keep undocumented migrants from moving freely in communities, protecting residents by enforcing detention and deportation procedures.
On top of migration policies, the minister talked about reducing taxes and easing the load on middle-class families. Even higher earners are seeing tax cuts, aiming for a balanced approach to support the economy while handling migration challenges.
For more on the arrival numbers and the closed facility plans, check out the official statement.
Alert South of Crete: Three Boats Carrying Dozens of Migrants – Coast Guard and FRONTEX on Standby
The southern coast of Crete is under close watch as three boats carrying large groups of migrants have popped up in the area in a pretty short time. Maritime authorities and FRONTEX jumped into action to help and manage the situation.
One boat already landed, bringing 75 migrants ashore. Another, with about 60 people, arrived at Gavdos island, a key spot for rescue ops.
Meanwhile, a third vessel was detected heading for the same area. The coast guard is on its way to assist if needed.
Local authorities around Crete and Gavdos are staying sharp, making sure all rescued people get safely to the designated facilities in Agia later tonight. That includes medical checks and shelter to cover immediate needs.
Here’s a quick look at what’s going on:
Boat Number |
Estimated Migrants |
Location |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
75 |
Crete – Landed |
Disembarked, under care |
2 |
60 |
Gavdos Island |
Accompanied by FRONTEX |
3 |
Unknown |
Approaching Gavdos |
Coast Guard en route |
The Greek Coast Guard and FRONTEX are working together to monitor migration flows in the Mediterranean. This teamwork is vital for quick responses and keeping things from getting out of hand.
The arrival of these boats adds to the already significant number of migrants on Crete. Local services keep feeling the pressure to help and manage logistics.
Moving the newcomers to Agia is meant to centralize care and ensure proper processing.
Authorities say they need to stay alert, as more vessels could try similar crossings. The sea and geography of southern Crete make it a common landing spot for these journeys.
This recent activity fits into a bigger pattern of migrant movements in the region. Responders are sticking to safety protocols and coordinating with both regional and international agencies.
More updates will come as the situation develops, especially about the third boat and those on board. The response relies on solid teamwork between rescue crews, medical staff, and local officials.
For more on the incident, check the report about the arrival of migrants south of Crete.
New, state-of-the-art coastguard vessel for Crete
The coast guard just boosted its fleet with a new advanced vessel that recently arrived at the port of Heraklion. This modern craft should help the service handle search and rescue missions better and strengthen maritime security in the region.
The vessel’s top-notch features and powerful engines mean crews can respond to emergencies at sea faster and more efficiently.
This investment shows a continued push to beef up resources as maritime challenges rise in the area. By reinforcing the fleet, the coast guard can handle both routine patrols and more complicated incidents, like those involving migrants and border security.
You can find more details about the new vessel’s arrival at Heraklion if you’re curious.
Key Takeways
- A new vessel has upgraded the coast guard’s capabilities.
- The modern ship helps improve rescue and security missions.
- It supports increased maritime readiness in the region.
The Coast Guard’s fleet recently got a major upgrade: a high-speed, modern vessel. This new boat steps up operational capacity, especially for search and rescue and border security.
Built in Finland, the vessel runs on two MAN engines, each cranking out 1,650 horsepower. That’s enough to push the boat past 50 miles per hour.
Advanced waterjet systems power the vessel, giving it outstanding maneuverability. With a range of about 350 nautical miles, it can handle long missions without breaking a sweat.
Key features of the vessel include:
- Speed: Capable of speeds over 50 mph.
- Range: Around 350 nautical miles autonomy.
- Engines: Twin 1,650 hp MAN engines.
- Propulsion: State-of-the-art waterjet technology.
- Communication: Equipped with the latest generation communication systems.
- Armament: Remote-controlled weapon systems for enhanced crew safety.
The boat mainly handles:
- Search and rescue along the coastline.
- Interception and management of migratory flows.
- Rapid response missions that demand speed and agility.
Crew members running the vessel know their stuff—they’re well-trained in navigation and maritime tactics. That’s how they get the most out of all this new tech.
This vessel lets the Coast Guard protect maritime borders more effectively and improves response times to emergencies in local waters.
Compared to older boats, it’s a clear leap forward in speed, range, and tech. That’s a big deal for maritime security.
Summary of capabilities and uses:
Category |
Details |
|---|---|
Construction Origin |
Finland |
Engine Power |
2 × 1,650 hp MAN engines |
Maximum Speed |
Over 50 miles per hour |
Propulsion Technology |
Waterjet system |
Operational Range |
Up to 350 nautical miles |
Communication Systems |
Advanced, latest generation |
Weapon Systems |
Remote controlled |
Primary Missions |
Rescue, migrant control, rapid response |
This vessel is a critical tool for keeping the island’s coast—and the wider maritime area—safe. It fits right into the Coast Guard’s larger network, bringing flexibility and extra muscle to meet whatever the sea throws at them.
Hundreds of Migrants Left Waiting on Crete for Over a Month
More than 460 migrants are still living in temporary facilities scattered across Chania, Heraklion, and Rethymno.
These sites are makeshift at best, and definitely not set up for long-term stays. Local officials say the whole situation just runs on “automatic pilot,” with no real plan to relieve the pressure.
Some people have been stuck in these centers for ten days, others for over a month. The largest group, about 342 people, is packed into the old Regional Market in Agyia.
Another 85 squeeze into a former cold storage building in Heraklion. In Rethymno, 35 migrants are at the old coastguard station.
None of these places have enough resources or proper conditions. That raises some serious safety worries—for the migrants and for the security staff who have to watch over them.
The staff are feeling the strain. Police and coastguard officers spend all their time just guarding the facilities, and they’re already spread thin.
Tensions among the migrants keep rising. The uncertainty and cramped conditions make things worse, and the security teams are clearly under a lot of stress.
Local officials admit there’s a problem, but they don’t see much help from the government. The Ministry says it knows about the difficulties, yet nobody’s really stepping in to fix the overcrowding or speed up transfers off Crete.
Meanwhile, the cost of all this falls on the local municipalities. They’re struggling to cover the expenses of hosting so many people.
There’s no clear strategy in sight. Nobody seems sure who’s supposed to arrange the transfers or decide what happens to the migrants next.
Will they move them to other places like Serres or Larissa? Will they be held in detention? Nobody really knows how their legal cases will play out.
If you’re curious, there’s more info about migrants awaiting relocation on Crete in that discussion.
Greece Rolls Out Refugee Internship Scheme to Tackle Worker Shortages
Greece just kicked off a new internship scheme for refugees and migrants, hoping to fill some of the most stubborn gaps in the workforce. The programme zeroes in on sectors like agriculture, construction, and tourism—basically, the industries that keep complaining about not finding enough workers.
Anyone with legal residence can jump in, gaining hands-on work experience and actually getting paid for it. Not a bad deal, honestly.
The scheme tries to boost practical skills and smooth the path for refugees and migrants into real jobs. Organizers are making a point to support women too, since they’re often left out of these opportunities.
That’s supposed to help with social inclusion, not just economics. Eligible folks include recognized refugees, people with temporary protection (think Ukrainians fleeing the war), asylum seekers in pre-integration, and other legal migrants.
They’re giving priority to people who already have some experience or skills that fit the internships. That way, the training should actually help them land proper jobs down the line.
Participants need to clock 270 hours of hands-on training before they qualify for payment. Once they do, they get a one-off payment equal to the daily minimum wage in Greece—about €39 per day right now.
Employers who take on interns get financial perks too. In agriculture, a business can get up to €20,000 and host up to ten trainees.
In construction and tourism, the support jumps to €300,000 per business. It’s a win-win on paper: companies get help with staff shortages, and workers get a shot at formal employment instead of off-the-books gigs.
The EU Recovery and Resilience Facility funds the programme, with the International Organization for Migration and Greek authorities running the show. They’re trying to tap into the skills of people already living in Greece for economic recovery and development.
Greece has been scrambling to boost labour supply in key industries, especially since about 40% of businesses say they can’t find enough staff. This scheme gives refugees and migrants a way to build careers and actually contribute to the country’s growth—check out this recent initiative for more details.
