Half a Million Migrants Waiting in Libya for a Chance to Cross to Europe via Crete

Off the southern coast of Crete and the island of Gavdos, 327 migrants attempting to reach Europe by boat were rescued over the course of two days. According to Greek state broadcaster ERT, a Frontex border patrol aircraft spotted two boats carrying 87 people some 40 kilometres off the southern coast of Crete on Thursday morning. The day before, five separate rescue operations near Crete and Gavdos had brought a further 240 people to safety.

Crete and the neighbouring island of Gavdos are increasingly becoming a new route for people smugglers, who are gradually shifting their operations here. According to Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris, more than half a million people are currently waiting in Libya for a chance to cross to Europe — despite the fact that the route via Gavdos and Crete is considered one of the most dangerous.

Where the boats set off from

Migrants typically depart from the Libyan port city of Tobruk, which is under the control of military forces loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 10,000 migrants arrived in Crete between the beginning of January and early August this year — a 20% increase compared to the same period last year. A notable surge in arrivals occurred in June, when calmer seas and more favourable weather set in.

Libya remains one of the main transit points for migrants from Africa and Asia hoping to reach Europe. More than a decade of political instability in the country has allowed people smugglers to build extensive networks spanning Libya's neighbouring states — Chad, Niger, Sudan, Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia.

Source: novinky.cz