13 migrants die after boat sinks off Crete

At least 13 migrants died after a boat sank off the coast of Crete, Greek authorities said. The Greek coastguard rescued 18 people from the vessel, all identified as Sudanese nationals. Four of those rescued, including a toddler, were taken to hospital for treatment. The incident occurred about 15 nautical miles (28km) off Crete, where a Moroccan‑flagged container ship had spotted the boat.

Officials said the cause of the deaths is not yet clear, but they believe the craft had been at sea for several days and struggled against strong winds. An unnamed coastguard official told Reuters the survivors were "shivering from the cold". The coastguard also reported rescuing another 187 migrants in three separate incidents off Greece on Monday. UN figures show more than 37,000 migrants have arrived in Greece so far this year, already exceeding the total recorded in 2025.

Crete remains a major entry point, with over 22,000 of the 86,400 sea arrivals recorded this year landing on the island. The Greek government has announced plans to address the influx, including the opening of a temporary housing complex near Heraklion. The island was a focal point of the 2015‑16 migration crisis, when nearly a million people arrived, mostly from Turkey, and arrivals have risen again from Libya, particularly among those fleeing Sudan and seeking opportunities in countries such as Bangladesh.