Over 230 migrants arrived on Greece's Crete from North Africa

More than 230 migrants from North Africa arrived on the Greek island of Crete, part of ongoing migration waves across the Mediterranean. The weekend arrival underscores the region's continued struggles with migration as authorities work to manage the humanitarian crisis. Many of the migrants faced perilous conditions during their journey, prompting urgent action by local authorities to provide aid.

More than 230 migrants crossed the Mediterranean in small boats from North Africa, arriving on Greece's southern island of Crete over the weekend, according to Greek authorities on Monday.

The migrants, arriving in six separate crossings, greatly exceeded the few dozen who used the more common route from Turkey to the nearby eastern Aegean islands over the same weekend.

This year, Crete has become a key destination for migrants risking the perilous journey from Libya across the Mediterranean. In response, Greece’s government is considering establishing state-funded migrant processing centers on the island, which has a population of about 625,000, to assist local authorities.

The journey from Libya takes at least two days, whereas a fast smuggling boat from Turkey can reach Greece’s eastern islands in less than an hour—assuming it avoids the frequent coast guard patrols.

Greek officials say they are preparing for a possible rise in refugee arrivals due to ongoing conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza.

Most of the migrants arriving on Crete over the weekend reported being from Egypt, Sudan, or Bangladesh, according to Greek authorities.

The largest single group consisted of 55 migrants, who were rescued by a merchant ship late Saturday after their boat encountered problems south of Crete.

All of the migrants said they had departed from the eastern Libyan port of Tobruk and paid smuggling gangs up to 9,000 euros each for the journey. Twelve people on the boats were arrested on suspicion of being members of smuggling networks.

On Friday, another 100 migrants also arrived on Crete.

Greece remains a major entry point for migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia hoping to enter the European Union. Until now, most migrants have taken the shorter, more common route from Turkey in small boats.

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Source: hindustantimes‍