Over 200 Migrants Rescued Near Greece, Dozens Still Missing

In a series of four separate rescue missions near Greece, approximately 200 migrants were saved, while five bodies were recovered, and around 40 people remain missing.

The operations, which began on December 13, were coordinated by the Greek Coast Guard, with one mission still ongoing as rescue efforts continue.

One of the rescues took place near the Greek island of Gavdos, where a boat carrying refugees sank. The vessel Mito rescued 39 people in the midst of harsh weather, approximately 12 nautical miles southwest of Gavdos. During the operation, five bodies were pulled from the water, and survivors reported that roughly 40 passengers were still unaccounted for.

In a separate incident, the ship British Achiever saved 89 people approximately 28 nautical miles south of Gavdos. Further out, around 40 nautical miles off the island, the vessel Seabee rescued another 47 migrants.

Closer to mainland Greece, the vessel Blue Ciment 4 rescued 28 people from a distressed boat located about 6 nautical miles from Cape Tainaron.

Search operations, which included assistance from Greek Navy helicopters and commercial vessels, continued overnight in hopes of finding the missing individuals. Officials from the Greek government have linked the growing number of refugees attempting the dangerous journey to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, which have driven many to flee their home countries.