Overview
- A Turkish‑flagged merchant ship spotted the semi‑sunken inflatable about 26 nautical miles south of Crete near Ierapetra.
- Coast guard teams boarded the adrift boat and recovered multiple bodies, while two survivors said the craft lost control in severe weather.
- Early reports cite winds near 90 km/h and no food or water onboard, with hypothermia and starvation considered initial possibilities.
- Casualty counts vary across outlets, with 17 or 18 deaths reported pending forensic verification.
- A search operation involving the Hellenic Coast Guard, a Frontex aircraft and merchant vessels was launched to check for others in the water.