In a series of coordinated search and rescue operations on Monday, Greek authorities successfully located and rescued 197 foreign nationals found at sea, under the coordination of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) and with the assistance of Hellenic Coast Guard vessels and Frontex units.
On Monday morning, 74 foreign nationals on board a vessel in the sea south of Kali Limenes, Crete were safely rescued by a Coast Guard patrol boat and transported to the port of Kali Limenes.
A few hours later, another 68 foreign nationals were rescued by a Frontex vessel in the sea area 1.7 nautical miles south of Gavdos. The rescued individuals are being transferred to the port of Paleochora for the required reception processes.
Meanwhile, a third rescue operation took place 18 nautical miles south of Cape Tainaron, where 55 foreign nationals were located on a vessel. Nineteen were picked up by a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel, while the remaining 36 were carried by a Portuguese-flagged container ship. They are being taken to the port of Kalamata.
In addition, as part of a separate transfer operation related to the management of the existing migrant population, 112 foreign nationals are scheduled to be transported on Monday night aboard the ship Kissamos from the port of Souda (Chania) to Piraeus, where they will arrive on Tuesday morning. Their transfer will continue under the escort of the Hellenic Coast Guard to a closed reception facility in Attica.