A small boat carrying 40 migrants who made the dangerous Mediterranean Sea crossing from Africa arrived on the southern Greek island of Gavdos, off Crete, on Saturday, authorities said.
the Coast Guard said the 33 men, six women and one child were found on the beach of Trypiti, where many migrant boats that successfully complete the passage from eastern Libya arrive. All were reported in good health after the journey, which typically takes about three days.
They were transferred to a reception center in Crete’s Hania area.
Crete has become a major destination for people from the Middle East and Africa seeking a better life in the European Union, despite the length and risks the journey involves.
So far this year, some 3,000 people have reached the island after paying smugglers for a berth on a small boat leaving LIbya’s Tobruk region – despite Greek authorities’ attempts to talk Libyan officials into stemming the flow. Overall, about 7,600 migrants have arrived in Greece by land and sea since January 1, most coming from Turkey.