Greek authorities recovered 12 people found dead aboard a migrant boat south of Crete on Monday, while a coast guard vessel rescued 18 others from the same boat, according to officials cited by the Associated Press and Reuters. The circumstances of the deaths were not immediately clear.

Rescue operations reported in three incidents

The boat was found about 15 nautical miles (28 kilometers) off Crete, near the port of Kaloi Limenes. A Moroccan-flagged cargo ship spotted the vessel, and the Greek coast guard recovered the 12 bodies and brought 18 survivors to safety, the reports said.

Authorities also reported two other boats south of the island. Reuters said dozens of people were rescued in those separate incidents. The reports did not identify the people found dead or establish how they died.

Crete is on a growing Mediterranean route

Crete has become an important point on routes used by people trying to reach Europe from northeastern Libya. Reuters reported that arrivals on this route have increased, even as overall arrivals to Greece have declined from the peak years of the 2015–16 migration crisis.

The latest incident underscores the dangers of sea crossings, while leaving key facts—including the cause of death—unresolved. Globuzz is following international developments in its World coverage.

Sources: Associated Press; Reuters.