Migrant crossings south of Crete are increasing again, with Greek authorities carrying out several rescue operations in recent days near the island of Gavdos.
On Tuesday morning, a Greek Coast Guard vessel, supported by a Frontex drone, rescued 36 migrants stranded at sea and brought them safely to the port of Chora Sfakia.
The day before, more than 100 people were rescued in two separate incidents in the same area. All rescued migrants are expected to be transferred to Agia Chania, where over 350 migrants recently departed for northern Greece.
The surge in arrivals comes as Athens adopts a tougher line on irregular migration. During a visit to Austria on Monday, Greece’s Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris, reiterated the government’s stance, warning that migrants without legal status face imprisonment or return.
“Anyone staying illegally in Greece is punishable with a prison sentence of two to five years. There is only one way to avoid the sentence: returning to the country of origin,” Plevris said. “The message is clear: jail or return.”
Talks with Austria’s Interior Minister focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation on migration management and expanding returns to third countries.
