22 Migrants Die After Six Days Adrift Off Greek Coast

Twenty-two migrants died after spending six days adrift in a rubber dinghy off the Greek coast while attempting to reach Europe, according to reports from BBC, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera. The Greek coastguard confirmed that 26 survivors, including a woman and a child, were rescued by a European border agency vessel near the island of Crete on Friday. Two of the survivors required hospitalization in Heraklion.

The migrant boat had left Tobruk, Libya on March 21st, carrying migrants primarily from Bangladesh, South Sudan, and Chad. Poor weather conditions and a lack of food and water contributed to the deaths during their journey. The dinghy was found 53 nautical miles south of Ierapetra on Crete's southern coastline.

Greek authorities arrested two men from South Sudan, aged 19 and 22, on suspicion of people trafficking. They are being investigated for illegal entry into the country and negligent homicide. Survivors reported that the bodies of those who died were thrown into the sea on the orders of one of the smugglers.

The incident highlights the perilous journey migrants undertake to reach Europe, often facilitated by people smugglers who overcrowd boats without adequate supplies or lifejackets. According to UNHCR figures, at least 41,696 migrants arrived in Greece by sea in 2025, with more than 4,000 arriving this year. The Mediterranean crossing has claimed at least 103 lives in 2025.

In response to the surge in migrant arrivals, the European Parliament endorsed a major tightening of EU migration policy and approved the concept of 'return hubs' designed to send migrants to non-EU third countries. This move has been criticized by rights groups as inhumane. The incident underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the dangerous conditions migrants face while seeking asylum in Europe.