The Hellenic Coast Guard remains on high alert as migrant inflows continue to intensify in southern Crete, particularly in Gavdos and Agyia, Chania.
The situation is becoming unsustainable, with more than 1,100 migrants currently held between the two locations — and no transfers to the mainland have occurred since August 18.
Daily Arrivals in Gavdos – Limited Transfer Capacity
Small boats carrying dozens of migrants have been spotted daily off the coast of Gavdos. The remote island, with minimal infrastructure, is currently hosting over 550 people.
Transfers to Crete occur only once a day, using a single vessel, and only as many as can be safely accommodated are moved.
Agyia Facility Overwhelmed – Now Functioning as a Closed Structure
In Agyia, Chania, over 580 migrants are being housed in what was originally a temporary reception facility. Since the latest changes in legal procedures, new arrivals are treated as detainees, meaning:
- They cannot be moved to mainland Greece,
- They are not allowed outdoor access or courtyard time,
- Conditions have worsened dramatically,
- There are frequent tensions and clashes inside the facility.
313 Rescued in 48 Hours – Multiple Human Traffickers Arrested
Over the past two days, 313 migrants have been rescued in successive incidents south of Gavdos and Crete, in operations involving:
- The Hellenic Coast Guard,
- Frontex patrol vessels, and
- Commercial ships providing assistance.
Six suspected traffickers have been arrested after being identified by the migrants themselves. Key incidents include:
- On September 11, a merchant vessel named G Atlantic (Marshall Islands-flagged) rescued 59 men 30 nautical miles southeast of Gavdos. They were safely disembarked in Agia Galini and later transferred to a facility in Rethymno.
- Two Egyptian nationals (17 and 29 years old) were arrested as alleged traffickers. Migrants reported paying €2,500–€4,000 each for transport from Tobruk, Libya.
- Later that day, a Frontex vessel rescued 36 migrants off Gavdos. They were taken first to the island and then transferred to Agyia by the Coast Guard.
- In a separate incident involving 89 migrants, two more individuals (aged 18 and 25, from Sudan and Egypt) were identified and arrested as traffickers. Mobile phones were seized as evidence.
- Other arrests included:
- A 19-year-old Sudanese in a group of 56,
- An 18-year-old Sudanese among 73 found on Trypiti beach.
Transfer Freeze Since August 18 – Legal Changes to Blame
Since August 18, transfers of migrants from Crete to the mainland have completely ceased. This is due to new legal protocols which classify all new arrivals as detainees, triggering stricter controls.
As a result:
- Temporary reception centers are turning into closed detention facilities,
- Overcrowding is reaching dangerous levels,
- Tensions and violence are on the rise,
- Health and safety risks are escalating.
The ongoing improvement in weather conditions is also enabling increased boat traffic, with no sign of relief in sight.
Documentary Warning: “Gavdos – The Death Passage in the Mediterranean”
Protothema.gr was among the first media outlets to highlight this growing issue through the documentary:
“Gavdos – The Death Passage in the Mediterranean”
The film exposes the deadly smuggling routes from Libya to Crete, the risks involved, and the growing humanitarian and security crisis along Greece’s southern border.
Source: pagenews.gr