Overview
- The semi‑submerged boat was located about 26 nautical miles south of Ierapetra after a Turkish merchant vessel raised the alarm.
- Two survivors were rescued and hospitalized, with early accounts pointing to severe weather, hypothermia and lack of food and water.
- Frontex deployed an aircraft and a vessel, alongside a Greek coast guard helicopter, patrol boats and merchant ships in the search.
- Authorities have launched an investigation and have not confirmed the point of departure, though recent traffic has shifted from Libya toward Crete.
- Reports differ on the death toll, with some citing 17 and others 18, as recovery and identification efforts continue.