In an unfortunate incident, at least 20 people lost their lives in boats heading towards the European Union, south of the island of Crete, Greece. The Greek Coast Guard has reported that the bodies of these migrants were found in two separate boats; eight people in one boat and twelve in the other.
Details of the Incident
The Greek Coast Guard announced that one of the boats was found on Monday morning while it was approximately 15 nautical miles (about 28 kilometers) south of the island of Crete. Additionally, in this incident, 40 other people were rescued from both boats, but no precise information is available regarding the identities of the 20 deceased and the circumstances of their deaths.
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Background of Migration to Europe
Greece has long been one of the main entry points for refugees and migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. During the 2015-2016 period, Europe faced a massive migration crisis, and since then, Athens has taken steps to increase its maritime and border patrols. However, the number of migrants attempting to enter Europe via Crete from northeastern Libya has significantly increased.
According to recent reports, despite a one-third decrease in illegal entries to the European Union this year, the eastern Mediterranean remains the busiest route for migrants. The busiest section of this route is from Libya to Crete, with the eastern Aegean islands and the land border with Turkey following closely behind.
Many boats carrying migrants towards Europe capsize or encounter problems along the way, posing serious risks to the lives of migrants. These heartbreaking incidents highlight the need for greater attention to migration issues and international efforts to manage these humanitarian crises.
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