At least 489 people were rescued on Monday in two operations in the sea areas south of Crete and Gavdos, carried out by the Greek authorities and Frontex.
The first operation took place early in the morning, when a Frontex vessel spotted two dinghies in the sea area south of Gavdos with around 230 people on board.
The second operation took place a few hours later, when three more boats with 259 foreigners were found in the sea area south of Crete.
An open-sea vessel of the Coast Guard rushed to the spot and completed the safe recovery of the passengers, who were then transported to the port of Paleochora. 

(File photo)