Greece has successfully carried out the evacuation of dozens of migrants from a sailboat that was reported to be in distress off the southern coast of the country. The coast guard and other rescue agencies launched a search and rescue operation after receiving an alarm message indicating that the boat was in danger. The operation involved multiple patrol and rescue boats, a navy ship, aircraft, and merchant vessels.

Fortunately, upon closer inspection, it was determined that the migrants’ boat was not actually taking in water or facing immediate danger as initially reported. The migrants on board, estimated to be around 70, were safely transferred to a patrol boat in international waters. They will be taken to the port of Katakolo.

The incident occurred in an area that has seen previous maritime tragedies involving migrants. Greece’s efforts to safely evacuate the ship before it sank in a similar incident earlier in the year were criticized. The waters off southwestern Greece have been used as a route by smugglers to transport migrants in overloaded sailboats from Turkey to Italy, bypassing Greek coast guard patrols.

Greece has witnessed an increase in migrant arrivals from Turkey, particularly by sea, in recent weeks due to favorable summer sailing conditions. The country’s authorities continue to respond to these situations, coordinating rescue efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings.