Migrant Boat Sinks Near Gavdos Leaving 25 People Missing

A migrant boat carrying 77 people sank south of the Greek island of Gavdos on September 13, 2026. The Hellenic Coast Guard reported one confirmed death and approximately 25 people missing. Rescue operations involving the Greek Coast Guard, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), and the Greek Air Force recovered 51 survivors, one of whom was found unconscious. Two nearby vessels assisted in the initial recovery of survivors.

Search and rescue efforts continued through September 14, utilizing four ships, a helicopter, and Frontex aircraft, though strong winds hampered the operation. Rescued migrants were transported to Crete for processing. The vessel had been traveling from Libya to Crete, a route that remains a primary entry point for asylum seekers despite a 31 percent decline in overall migrant arrivals to Greece between 2025 and 2026.

The disaster occurred as the Greek government intensified its crackdown on migration. Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has pursued strict arrival policies, including a three-month suspension of asylum claims for North African migrants to deter crossings. The government is currently drafting legislation to mandate imprisonment for rejected asylum seekers and is negotiating with Germany and other European Union member states to establish processing and return hubs for migrant claims outside the bloc.