In a major overnight operation, 77 migrants were successfully rescued from a disabled sailing yacht stranded between the islands of Amorgos and Astypalea in the southern Aegean Sea, Greek authorities announced. No one was reported missing or injured during the rescue operation, which involved significant coordination among multiple vessels and emergency services.
The rescue operation included three coast guard vessels, four merchant ships, and two smaller private boats. The intervention was initiated after passengers on the stranded yacht contacted emergency services for help. Despite the immediate threat, all 77 individuals were safely brought to shore and given temporary shelter on the island of Naxos in the Cyclades.
The nationalities of the migrants were not immediately determined, and their exact point of departure remains unknown. The route taken by the migrants is frequently used by smuggling operations to transport people from Turkey to Italy. This route is preferred as it helps avoid the heavily patrolled waters of the eastern Aegean Sea. These smuggling trips are especially common during the summer months when calmer weather and a high volume of tourist yachts provide cover for illegal activities.
Greece serves as a primary entry point for many migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia who are seeking a better life in the European Union. The Greek islands are often the first stop for these individuals as they navigate dangerous routes in hopes of reaching more prosperous parts of Europe.
In a significant overnight operation, 77 migrants were successfully rescued from a disabled sailing yacht stranded between the islands of Amorgos and Astypalea in the southern Aegean Sea, Greek authorities announced. Remarkably, no one was reported missing or injured during the rescue, which involved extensive coordination among multiple vessels and emergency services .
The rescue operation included three coast guard vessels, four merchant ships, and two smaller private boats. The intervention was initiated after passengers on the stranded yacht contacted emergency services for help. Despite the immediate threat, all 77 individuals were safely brought to shore and provided temporary shelter on the island of Naxos in the Cyclades .
The nationalities of the migrants were not immediately determined, and their exact point of departure remains unknown. The route taken by the migrants is frequently used by smuggling operations to transport people from Turkey to Italy. This route is preferred as it helps avoid the heavily patrolled waters of the eastern Aegean Sea. These smuggling trips are especially common during the summer months when calmer weather and a high volume of tourist yachts provide cover for illegal activities .
Greece serves as a primary entry point for many migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia who are seeking a better life in the European Union. The Greek islands are often the first stop for these individuals as they navigate dangerous routes in hopes of reaching more prosperous parts of Europe .
This latest rescue underscores the ongoing challenges and risks faced by migrants and highlights the critical role of coordinated international maritime efforts in ensuring their safety. The operation not only demonstrates the effectiveness of Greece’s emergency response capabilities but also the importance of international cooperation in addressing the complex issue of migration across the Mediterranean .