Tragedy off Crete: 22 Migrants Reported Dead After Drifting Six Days in Harsh Mediterranean Weather

A migrant boat drifting for six days from Libya to Crete results in 22 deaths. 26 survivors rescued as Greek authorities arrest two suspected traffickers.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 1:10 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Anadolu Agency

A Perilous Departure from Libya

The latest maritime tragedy in the Mediterranean unfolded this week as a small vessel carrying approximately 48 people departed from the Libyan coast. According to survivor testimonies, the group began their journey six days ago with the intention of reaching European soil. However, the voyage quickly turned catastrophic as the boat lost its ability to navigate and was left at the mercy of the sea. For nearly a week, the occupants were trapped on the drifting craft, facing severe exposure and a lack of essential supplies while battling increasingly adverse weather conditions.

The Toll of a Six-Day Drift

As the vessel drifted aimlessly, the physical toll on the passengers became lethal. Witnesses reported that 22 people died during the six-day ordeal, unable to survive the combination of harsh environmental elements and the exhaustion of the journey. In a grim detail provided to the public broadcaster ERT, survivors stated that the bodies of those who perished were thrown into the sea during the transit. This left only 26 individuals on board by the time the vessel was finally located by international monitoring agencies.

Detection and Rescue Operations

The drifting boat was eventually spotted early Friday morning by an aircraft from Frontex, the European Union's border and coast guard agency. Following the sighting, a rescue operation was coordinated to retrieve the remaining survivors and transport them to safety. The 26 individuals found alive were transferred to the port of Kaloi Limenes on the southern coast of Crete. Medical teams were on standby to provide emergency care for the survivors, many of whom were suffering from the psychological and physical trauma of the extended drift.