A severe tragedy has been uncovered Monday morning in the waters off the Greek island of Crete, where 12 immigrants have been found without signs of life on a boat, while 18 others have been rescued. Two more operations have been held in the same area, bringing the total number of survivors to 105, reports the newspaper Signal.

According to the international agency Reuters, referring to Greek authorities, the refugee boat has been located about 15 nautical miles from the port of Kaloi Limnes, south of Crete.

The vessel has been first observed by a kroken – flaged merchant ship that has intervened to save its inhabitants.

The Greek Coast Guard, which has boarded 18 survivors, is then involved in the operation and has released the lifeless bodies of 12 migrants.

According to Greek media, the Watchtower Coastal ship is headed for the port of Agia Galin, where the corresponding procedures are expected to be completed.

The identity of the victims and the circumstances that led to their death have not become known.

Two more operations at night, Frontex saves 87 migrants

In parallel with this tragedy, Greek authorities and the European Border and Coastal Watch Agency, Frontex, have conducted two more operations in the waters of southern Crete.

In the first case, a Frontex air vehicle has located a boat of 47 immigrants, about 30 nautical miles off the coast. The persons were taken from a rescue ship and transported to the port.

In another operation, a Frontex threat has identified a boat of 40 migrants, about 31 nautical miles from Leomenne.

Even these people have been rescued from teams engaged in the operation.

According to the balance released by the Greek media, a total of 117 migrants have been found in three cases, of which 105 have been saved and 12 have lost their lives.

A sea route from Africa to Crete, one of Europe’s dangerous crossings

Greece continues to be one of the main points of entry into the European Union for migrants and refugees fleeing countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Over the past few months, there has been a marked increase in crossings from Libya’s coast to Crete, a sea route where migrants often travel with inadequate long – distance vessels.

According to the Associated Press, Libya Kreta’s naval corridor has been one of the most frequent segments of the Eastern Mediterranean route during 2026.

Monday’s morning tragedy comes at a time when Greek and European authorities are facing the influx of migrants trying to reach Europe’s shores across the Mediterranean.

Source Layer: Signal