Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Photo: Reuters
Greece has recently rescued hundreds of migrants from the sea near its southern islands—Gavdos and Crete. These rescues took place in five different incidents since Friday, and they show how serious the situation is becoming with more people trying to reach Europe by dangerous sea routes.
What Happened?
On Sunday, the Greek coast guard shared that more than 430 migrants were rescued near Gavdos Island, which is the southernmost part of Greece. These people were found about 25 nautical miles away from the island in the open sea.
In a separate incident the same day, 96 more migrants were saved from two boats near Crete, Greece’s largest and most populated island. This rescue was done by Frontex, which is the European Union’s border agency that helps protect the borders of EU countries.
All these migrants were safely brought to Crete, where they will be looked after.
Where Are These Migrants Coming From?
Most of the migrants who were rescued are believed to be coming from northeastern Libya. Many people try to cross the sea from Libya to reach Europe in search of safety, jobs, and a better life.
These people often come from countries in the Middle East and North Africa, and some also come from South Asia. A large number are from war-torn Sudan, where violence has made life extremely dangerous. Others are from Egypt and Bangladesh.
Why Are So Many People Taking These Risky Sea Routes?
Life in many of these countries is very hard. There is war, political instability, poverty, and a lack of opportunities. People risk their lives on unsafe boats in hopes of finding peace and a better future in Europe. They often pay smugglers large amounts of money to take them across the sea, not knowing if they’ll survive the journey.
But the sea can be rough, and the boats are often small and overcrowded. Many people have lost their lives on this journey. That’s why these rescue operations are so important—they save lives that could otherwise be lost at sea.
Greece Is Taking Action
The Greek government is now more active in trying to stop these dangerous sea crossings. Last month, Greece said that it would send two navy frigates (large warships) close to Libya’s territorial waters. These ships will help keep an eye on the sea and try to stop migrant boats before they go too far.
Greece is also asking Libya to work more closely with them and with the European Union. The goal is to prevent migrant boats from even leaving Libya or to turn them back while they are still in Libyan waters.
This kind of cooperation between countries is needed to tackle the growing number of people trying to cross the sea dangerously.
A Shocking Video
On the same day as these rescues, a Greek news outlet published a shocking video. It showed dozens of migrants jumping off a speedboat into the sea just before reaching the shore of southern Crete.
These kinds of scenes are becoming more common as smugglers try to avoid detection by law enforcement. Once near land, they may force people to swim to shore, even if they don’t know how to swim well or if the waters are rough.
This shows how dangerous and inhuman these journeys can be.
Greece and Libya's Complicated Relationship
Relations between Greece and Libya have not been very smooth in recent years. One of the main reasons is a 2019 agreement between Libya and Turkey that affected how sea borders are drawn. Greece did not agree with that deal, and it caused tension between the countries.
But now, both countries are trying to repair their relationship, especially because they need to work together on solving the migrant crisis.
A Diplomatic Visit
To support this goal, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis visited the city of Benghazi in Libya on Sunday. He met with Khalifa Haftar, a powerful military commander from eastern Libya.
The purpose of the meeting was to talk about how both countries can cooperate to control migration and improve their relationship.
After the meeting, the Greek minister said,
“We will continue our undisturbed relationship… and we hope that shortly we will have tangible results for the progress of our relations.”
This means that Greece wants to keep good communication with Libya and hopes to see real progress in their cooperation soon.
The Bigger Picture
Greece is doing what it can to protect lives and control illegal migration, but the issue is complex. People will continue to flee danger and poverty as long as conditions in their home countries remain the same.
That’s why experts believe that the long-term solution is not just patrolling the seas or building fences. Helping other countries become stable, peaceful, and prosperous is just as important. Only then can we expect fewer people to risk everything on a dangerous journey across the sea.
English
