Twenty-two migrants died off the Greek coast after spending six days in a dinghy with no food or water, the Greek coastguard said. The boat departed from the port of Tobruk in eastern Libya on March 21 and eventually stopped 53 nautical miles from Ierapetra, a city on Crete's southern coastline, where a European border agency vessel rescued 26 survivors on Friday. Two of the survivors were taken to hospital in Heraklion on the island of Crete.
Poor weather conditions compounded the crisis during the journey. The Greek coastguard stated that "the passengers lost their orientation and remained at sea for six days without water and food," creating a survival situation that claimed nearly half the boat's occupants.
Among the 26 survivors, 21 were from Bangladesh, four were from South Sudan, and one was from Chad. Greek authorities arrested two men from South Sudan, aged 19 and 22, on suspicion of people trafficking. The pair now face investigation for illegal entry into the country and negligent homicide.
Greece and Italy receive large numbers of undocumented migrants via the Mediterranean, often traveling from nearby Turkey and northern Africa. At least 41,696 migrants arrived in Greece by sea in 2025, according to the UN's refugee agency UNHCR. More than 4,000 have already arrived this year through the same route.
Deaths in the eastern Mediterranean remain a persistent problem. UNHCR figures show at least 103 people were considered dead or missing in the eastern Mediterranean in 2025. In December, 17 migrants were found dead inside a boat that had taken on water and partially submerged near the Cretan coast.
Many of these crossings occur during summer months, when calmer weather reduces the immediate dangers of sea travel. People smugglers often overcrowd boats without adequate supplies or lifejackets.
Twenty-two migrants died off the Greek coast after spending six days in a dinghy with no food or water, the Greek coastguard said. The boat departed from the port of Tobruk in eastern Libya on March 21 and eventually stopped 53 nautical miles from Ierapetra, a city on Crete's southern coastline, where a European border agency vessel rescued 26 survivors on Friday. Two of the survivors, including a woman and a child, required hospitalization in Heraklion on the island of Crete.
Poor weather conditions compounded the crisis during the journey. The Greek coastguard stated that "the passengers lost their orientation and remained at sea for six days without water and food," creating a survival situation that claimed nearly half the boat's occupants.
Among the 26 survivors, 21 were from Bangladesh, four were from South Sudan, and one was from Chad. Greek authorities arrested two men from South Sudan, aged 19 and 22, on suspicion of people trafficking. The pair now face investigation for illegal entry into the country and negligent homicide.
Greece and Italy receive large numbers of undocumented migrants via the Mediterranean, often traveling from nearby Turkey and northern Africa. At least 41,696 migrants arrived in Greece by sea in 2025, according to the UN's refugee agency UNHCR. More than 4,000 have already arrived this year through the same route.
Deaths in the eastern Mediterranean remain a persistent problem. UNHCR figures show at least 103 people were considered dead or missing in the eastern Mediterranean in 2025. In December, 17 migrants were found dead inside a boat that had taken on water and partially submerged near the Cretan coast.
Many of these crossings occur during summer months, when calmer weather reduces the immediate dangers of sea travel. The winter and early spring conditions that claimed these 22 lives represent the deadliest season for Mediterranean crossings, yet migrants continue attempting the journey year-round. People smugglers often overcrowd boats without adequate supplies or lifejackets, maximizing profit while minimizing safety margins.
Highlighted text was flagged by the council. Tap to see feedback.
The sources also report that the boat departed from Tobruk on March 21, according to a coastguard spokesperson.