Crete: 43 men found on Gavdos — arrest following the rescue of 62
A Coast Guard update on 25 October covers two separate incidents. Allegations against a 16-year-old are not a judicial finding.
Updated 25.10.2026 · 16:00, Athens time — What changed
On 25 October 2026, the Hellenic Coast Guard reported that 43 men were found that morning on Tripiti beach, Gavdos. They were collected from shore with assistance from the vessel ELENI, transferred to a Frontex boat and subsequently taken by Coast Guard patrol boat from Karave to Paleochora, bound for temporary accommodation in Agia. The Central Port Authority of Chania is conducting a preliminary investigation.
Follow-up on the 62 rescued on 24 October
In the separate rescue of 62 people on 24 October, the Coast Guard reports the arrest of a 16-year-old over alleged offences involving entry, facilitation and endangerment. According to its announcement, other passengers identified him as their smuggler. This is an allegation attributed to passengers by the maritime authority, rather than a judicial finding of guilt.
The 43 people on Gavdos and the 62 rescued the previous day concern separate operations. They are not presented as a single daily total.
Earlier updates — history
Updated 25.10.2026 · 10:02, Athens time — What changed
On 25 October, the Coast Guard announced the rescue of 62 people on the morning of 24 October 2026 from a boat in distress, 33 nautical miles south-southeast of Kaloi Limenes.
They were 49 men, eight women and five minors. A FRONTEX vessel picked them up and, with assistance from the launch ELENI, they were transferred to Kaloi Limenes and subsequently Irakleio. The Central Port Authority of Irakleio is conducting a preliminary investigation.
This is a separate incident from the earlier operations described below. The announcement’s publication date is not the rescue date.
Earlier updates — history
Updated 24.10.2026 · 19:09, Athens time — What changed
A Coast Guard patrol rescued 50 people from a boat in distress 23 nautical miles south of Ierapetra around midday on 24 October 2026. The group comprised 47 men, one woman and two minors, taken to Ierapetra port. The local port authority is conducting the preliminary investigation.
Follow-up to the Gavdos arrival
In the same announcement, the Coast Guard reports a 17-year-old’s arrest over the arrival of 48 people on Gavdos on 23 October. According to the service, other passengers identified him as the person who transported them from Tobruk for payment. This is an allegation under investigation and an arrest, not a court conviction. Chania Central Port Authority is investigating.
The 50 off Ierapetra concern a new, separate operation. The 48 on Gavdos were already included in the previous update and are not counted again. Both records are separate from the 203 rescued from four boats south of Kaloi Limenes.
Separate investigation into a body
The Coast Guard also announced that a Frontex vessel recovered an unidentified man’s body in advanced decomposition east of Gavdos and took it to Chora Sfakion. No connection with these boats or identity of the deceased was announced. Paleochora Port Station is investigating.
Earlier updates — history
Updated 24.10.2026 · 10:11, Athens time — What changed
The Coast Guard announced three further arrests on 24 October 2026, following the rescue of 203 people south of Kaloi Limenes. The new release concerns the other three boats, following the earlier announcement of a 17-year-old’s arrest.
- A 16-year-old was arrested in connection with the boat carrying 38 people, 7.5 nautical miles south of Kaloi Limenes.
- A 19-year-old was arrested in connection with the boat carrying 49 people, 40 nautical miles south-southeast.
- A 20-year-old was arrested in connection with the boat carrying 68 people, 50 nautical miles south-southeast.
According to the Coast Guard, other passengers identified them as smugglers. The allegations remain under investigation and are not judicial findings of guilt. The Central Port Authority of Heraklion is conducting the three preliminary investigations. The groups of 38, 49 and 68 are already included in the recorded total of 203 and must not be counted again.
A separate group of 48 on Gavdos
The same release says that 48 people — 46 men, one woman and one minor — were located at Trypiti beach on Gavdos on the morning of 23 October. A Frontex vessel, assisted by a private boat, collected them. They were taken first to temporary accommodation on Gavdos and then to Agia, Chania. The Central Port Authority of Chania is conducting the preliminary investigation.
This is a separate group from the 48 people on the first boat south of Kaloi Limenes. The matching numbers do not describe the same operation.
Earlier updates — history
Updated 24.10.2026 · 00:06, Athens time — What changed
The coastguard announced the arrest of a 17-year-old on 23 October 2026, following the rescue of 203 people from four boats south of Kaloi Limenes. The update specifically concerns the group of 48 people found eight nautical miles south of the area. They are included in the 203, rather than an additional rescue.
According to the coastguard, other passengers identified the minor as the boat’s driver and a smuggler. These are allegations under investigation, not a judicial finding of guilt. Rethymno Port Authority is conducting the preliminary investigation.
The rescued passengers said they departed Tobruk, Libya, on the evening of 21 October and paid $1,500–2,000 each, according to the announcement. Those details are attributed to their testimony.
Earlier updates — history
Hellenic Coast Guard and Frontex vessels recovered 203 people from four boats south of Kaloi Limenes, Crete, during the night of 22 October and early on 23 October 2026. This is documented in the Hellenic Coast Guard’s announcement of 23 October.
Four boats at different locations
- During the night of 22 October, a Coast Guard rescue vessel recovered 48 people from a boat about 8 nautical miles south of Kaloi Limenes.
- Early on 23 October, a Coast Guard patrol vessel recovered 38 people from a second boat, about 7.5 nautical miles south.
- The same morning, a Frontex vessel recovered 49 and 68 people from two further boats, 40 and 50 nautical miles south-southeast, respectively.
The announcement’s separate breakdowns include six minors in total. These were not passengers on a single boat.
Transfer to Rethymno and Heraklion
All were initially taken to Kaloi Limenes. The first 48 then travelled by road to Rethymno port, while the remaining 155 went to Heraklion port, accompanied by Coast Guard personnel.
Rethymno Port Authority and Heraklion’s Central Port Authority are conducting the respective preliminary inquiries. This particular announcement reports no arrests.
English translation of the Greek edition · Read in Greek