Greek Coastguard: 22 Migrants Die at Sea; Smugglers Allegedly Threw Bodies Overboard

At least 22 migrants have perished off the coast of Greece after a harrowing six-day journey in a rubber boat, with survivors reporting that smugglers threw bodies overboard. This tragic incident highlights the extreme dangers faced by those attempting to cross to Europe, despite increasing restrictions.

Tragedy Unfolds: Migrants Die, Bodies Thrown Overboard

Survivors rescued off the coast of Crete have painted a grim picture of the ordeal, stating that 22 individuals died during the six-day voyage and their bodies were discarded into the sea by people smugglers. This account was corroborated by the Greek coastguard, reigniting concerns over the risks migrants take to reach Europe.

Six Days Adrift: From Libya to Greek Waters

The ill-fated rubber boat departed from Tobruk, a port city in eastern Libya, on March 21, destined for Greece, a primary gateway for migrants seeking asylum in the European Union. According to the coastguard, passengers lost their bearings during the journey, leaving them adrift for six days without sustenance. Two survivors were subsequently transported to a hospital in Heraklion, Crete, for medical attention.

Separately, the Greek coastguard also reported the rescue of 26 other individuals, including a woman and a minor, by a Frontex European Union Agency vessel operating near the island of Crete.

Smugglers Arrested in Connection with Deaths

Greek authorities have apprehended two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, suspected of being the people smugglers responsible for the tragic incident. The coastguard statement indicated that the order to throw the bodies of the deceased into the sea came from one of the alleged smugglers.

Perilous Crossings Persist Amidst Tighter Restrictions

Thousands of individuals annually attempt the hazardous journey from Libya to Europe across the Mediterranean. Libya has become a critical transit point for those fleeing conflict and poverty since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicates that over 16,770 asylum seekers arrived in Crete in 2025 alone, with at least 107 people dying or going missing in Greek waters during the same period. In response to a surge in arrivals, the Greek government temporarily suspended the processing of asylum applications for three months in mid-2025, particularly for those originating from Libya. Despite these measures, many continue to undertake the dangerous voyage.

A Pattern of Tragedy: Recent Mediterranean Disasters

This latest incident follows a series of similar tragedies. On February 9, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that approximately 53 migrants, including two babies, were either dead or missing after a rubber boat carrying 55 people capsized off the coast of Zuwara city in Libya. Earlier in January, the IOM also documented at least 375 migrant deaths or disappearances attributed to extreme weather conditions, with concerns that hundreds more deaths remain unrecorded.

The recurring incidents of migrant deaths in the Mediterranean underscore the complex interplay of humanitarian crises, geopolitical instability in transit countries like Libya, and the tightening of European borders. While authorities grapple with enforcement, the human cost of these journeys continues to mount, presenting a profound ethical and logistical challenge for international bodies and national governments.

Key Takeaways

  • At least 22 migrants died during a six-day journey in a rubber boat off the coast of Greece.
  • Survivors reported that people smugglers threw the bodies of the deceased overboard.
  • The boat departed from Tobruk, Libya, on March 21 and was adrift without food or water.
  • Greek authorities have arrested two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, suspected of being the smugglers.
  • The incident highlights the ongoing dangers of migration routes to Europe, with thousands attempting the perilous crossing annually.
  • Previous months have seen similar tragedies, with hundreds of deaths and disappearances recorded by international organizations.