Greece’s coast guard on Tuesday initiated a rescue mission to aid numerous migrants crammed onto a sailing boat anchored near the uninhabited island of Falconera, situated far from the country’s mainland. A private vessel first identified the distressed sailing boat in a region notorious for treacherous currents and turbulent waters, positioned between Milos and the Peloponnese. Approximately 50 people were believed to be onboard, prompting swift action.

Responding to the urgent situation, a coast guard helicopter swiftly arrived at the scene, while four coast guard vessels set course for the remote island to provide assistance. In a separate incident on the same day, 19 individuals were successfully rescued from a dinghy that had lost its steering off the northeastern coast of the Aegean island of Samos.

Greece has noted a recent surge in sea arrivals, underscoring its historical role as a significant migration route into the European Union for individuals escaping conflicts and hardships in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. While the country’s eastern islands bordering Turkey have traditionally served as crucial entry points, stringent deterrence policies had previously led to a reduction in arrivals.

Nevertheless, Greece has faced substantial criticism for alleged illicit and covert summary deportations of migrants back to Turkey, bypassing proper asylum application procedures. Rights organizations have castigated these practices, claiming they breach international norms. The Greek government steadfastly refutes such allegations, maintaining that it adheres to proper protocols and rejects the notion of unauthorized deportations.