Greek Coast Guard Rescues 800 Migrants in 12 Crete Operations

Thursday, 28 May 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

On May 29, 2026, Greek Coast Guard and rescue services conducted 12 separate search and rescue operations in waters around Crete in a single day, assisting nearly 800 migrants who arrived by sea. Operations of this scale involve significant deployment of coast guard vessels, helicopters, and emergency personnel across coastal areas, particularly in southern and eastern Crete. For visitors, this is unlikely to affect beach access or tourism activities directly, but travelers may notice increased coast guard presence along coastal routes and in harbors such as Heraklion, Sitia, and Ierapetra. Ferry and boat schedules are generally unaffected. If you encounter a vessel in distress at sea, contact the Hellenic Coast Guard emergency line at 108.