According to the Greek coastguard, the boat had departed from Tobruk in eastern Libya on March 21, carrying migrants attempting to reach Europe. During the journey, the vessel reportedly lost direction, leaving passengers stranded at sea under extreme conditions.

Survivors told authorities that those who died during the ordeal were thrown into the sea on the orders of a smuggler.

Two survivors were hospitalised in Heraklion on the island of Crete. In a separate operation, 26 migrants, including a woman and a minor, were rescued by a vessel operated by Frontex.

Greek authorities have arrested two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, suspected of involvement in human smuggling linked to the incident.

Thousands of migrants continue to attempt the perilous journey from Libya to Europe each year, driven by conflict, poverty, and instability. Libya remains a major transit route following the 2011 fall of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

Data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees shows that over 16,770 asylum seekers arrived in Crete in 2025 alone, while at least 107 people died or went missing in Greek waters during the same period.

Despite stricter border controls and policy changes, including temporary suspensions of asylum processing by Greek authorities in 2025, migrants continue to risk their lives at sea.

Earlier incidents highlight the scale of the crisis. The International Organization for Migration reported that dozens of migrants, including children, died or went missing in similar crossings earlier this year.

The latest tragedy underscores the ongoing humanitarian challenges in the Mediterranean, where dangerous journeys continue to claim lives.