A boat carrying 79 migrants has arrived on the southern Greek island of Gavdos, according to the Greek coast guard. The small island, located south of Crete, has become one of the key arrival points for migrants crossing the Mediterranean in recent years. The latest arrival comes amid a renewed increase in migrant movements to Greece’s southern islands.
Greek authorities confirmed that two passengers on the boat were arrested on suspicion of helping to facilitate the irregular crossing. The men, aged 19 and 23, are Somali nationals and are believed to have been paid to steer the vessel to Gavdos. Officials said it is not yet clear whether the suspects are linked to an organised smuggling network.
Reports indicate that the migrant boat departed from Tobruk in eastern Libya, one of the main departure points for irregular migration in North Africa. Gavdos lies more than 200 kilometres from Tobruk, making the journey particularly risky, especially in small and overcrowded boats.
Irregular sea journeys to Gavdos and the nearby island of Crete have increased in popularity over the past year. In 2025 alone, around 20,000 migrants reached these two islands by sea, showing how routes from Libya continue to play a major role in Mediterranean migration.
According to United Nations data, nearly 49,000 migrants entered Greece through irregular routes in 2025. Almost 42,000 of them arrived by sea, with about half of all sea arrivals originating from Libya. Many migrants are fleeing war, violence, and persecution, while others are seeking better economic opportunities in Europe.
In response to rising numbers, Greece and other European Union countries have introduced stricter migration and asylum policies. These measures have reduced the chances of asylum approval, with recognition rates falling sharply in 2025 as rules became more restrictive.
Greece, which remains one of Europe’s frontline states for migration, has taken tougher steps to control arrivals. In July 2025, the government temporarily suspended the processing of asylum applications, particularly affecting migrants arriving from Libya to the islands of Crete and Gavdos. While arrivals dropped for several months, numbers began rising again in December 2025.
The Greek government is now pushing new laws aimed at further discouraging irregular migration. These include harsher penalties for smugglers, with proposed prison sentences of up to ten years, and punishments for migrants who refuse to cooperate with deportation procedures.
Why is Gavdos becoming a key arrival point for migrants?
Gavdos is increasingly used because routes from eastern Libya lead directly to southern Greece, and smugglers view the island as a reachable entry point into Europe, despite the long and perilous journey.