Migrant tragedy as 22 die after boat 'drifted for 6 days without food and water'

Twenty-two migrants have died after their boat got lost at sea and drifted for six days without food and water. The tragedy occurred off the coast of Crete on Friday, with 26 others rescued from the sea 52 nautical miles south of Ierapetra. The survivors were 24 men, one woman, and a child, who were all taken to Kali Limenes for treatment.

They told authorities their boat set sail from Tobruk, Libya, on March 21, carrying 48 people, Greek outlet Documento reports. They got lost during their journey and drifted for six days without food or water, resulting in the deaths of 22 people whose bodies were thrown into the sea out of desperation.

Coast Guard and police officers took most of the survivors to the port of Heraklion, while two of them were transported to hospital for medical treatment.

During the preliminary investigation, it emerged that those on board the boat paid huge sums of money to be taken to Greece, amounting to £7,500.

Two South Sudanese nationals, 19 and 22, were subsequently identified as the traffickers responsible for the tragic journey, and arrested.

The route from eastern Libya to Crete and Gavdos has become a primary, dangerous pathway for refugees and migrants.

Over 8,000 arrivals were recorded by July 2025 on this specific route, with many migrants fleeing from Libya.