18 Egyptians Missing After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Crete, Four Dead

Eighteen Egyptians remain missing after a migrant boat capsized off Crete, killing four people. The boat, believed to have departed from Libya, overturned during a rescue attempt. Twenty migrants were rescued, and two suspects have been arrested.

Egypt announced on Wednesday that 18 of its nationals remain missing following the capsizing of a migrant boat off the Greek island of Crete last week, an incident that left four people confirmed dead. The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in search of better opportunities in Europe.
According to available information, the wooden boat was carrying a total of 50 people at the time of the incident, including four minors. Greece’s coast guard received an alert late on Friday about the vessel in distress. In response, Greek authorities quickly coordinated efforts and directed a nearby commercial ship to the location to assist with a rescue operation.
Greek public broadcaster ERT reported that the accident occurred as the commercial vessel approached the overcrowded migrant boat. As part of the rescue attempt, ladders were lowered from the commercial ship to help transfer passengers to safety. However, as the migrants began climbing the ladders in an effort to board the rescue vessel, a sudden shift in movement destabilized the already fragile wooden boat. The imbalance caused it to overturn, throwing passengers into the water and turning the rescue mission into a deadly disaster.
Egypt’s foreign ministry confirmed that 21 Egyptians were among those on board when the vessel capsized. Of those, three have been confirmed dead, while the remaining 18 are still missing. Search efforts have continued, but there has been no immediate confirmation regarding the fate of those unaccounted for.
In addition to the Egyptian victims, the Greek coast guard reported the recovery of the body of a 28-year-old Sudanese woman among the deceased. Authorities said that a total of 20 migrants were successfully rescued by the commercial vessel involved in the operation. Despite these rescues, several individuals remain missing, raising fears that the death toll could increase.
Greek authorities have since arrested two Sudanese men on suspicion of involvement in human smuggling activities. The suspects are expected to appear before judges on Wednesday as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the journey and the capsizing.
Preliminary reports suggest that the migrant boat departed from Libya, a country that has long served as a major departure point for migrants attempting to reach Europe. The route from Libya to Crete is frequently used by migrants seeking entry into the European Union, despite being widely regarded as one of the most dangerous sea crossings in the region.
The Mediterranean migration route remains perilous, with overcrowded and poorly equipped vessels often used for the journey. Last year alone, more than 17,000 Egyptians successfully reached Europe via the Mediterranean, making Egyptians the largest African group and the second-largest group globally among irregular migrants arriving in Europe. The latest incident off Crete underscores the continuing risks associated with these crossings and the persistent challenges faced by authorities in managing migration flows across the region.