Alarm Phone reports distress calls from migrants off Crete, rescue of 53 people

Humanitarian organisation Alarm Phone has reported receiving distress calls from three groups of migrants attempting to reach Greece, including 75 people stranded in rough seas south of Crete.

In a series of posts on X, the organisation said the group of 75 people was in severe distress, with water entering their boat as they drifted amid high waves.

Alarm Phone said the migrants were panicking and appealed to the Greek Coast Guard to continue searching for them after authorities reportedly said they had been unable to locate the boat, despite receiving updated coordinates.

In a separate incident reported on November 1, the organisation said it had received a distress call from 53 people stranded south of Crete.

According to Alarm Phone, it alerted the Greek Coast Guard the previous night and was informed that a search operation was underway.

The group was reportedly without food and drinking water while awaiting rescue.

However, the organisation later said relatives of the migrants informed it that the group had been rescued. The Greek Coast Guard also confirmed that it had rescued a boat in the area.

Alarm Phone expressed relief over the rescue and hoped that all those on board were safe.

In another incident, the organisation reported that approximately 71 migrants, including two pregnant women and children, had reached the Greek island of Ikaria after initially contacting it while still at sea.

The group reportedly requested urgent medical assistance, with Alarm Phone warning that several vulnerable people among them required immediate attention.

The organisation later said it had re-established contact with the migrants, who confirmed that they were at a police station on the island.

Alarm Phone wished them strength and good luck for the remainder of their journey.

The incidents highlight the continuing risks faced by migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings to reach European countries, particularly during periods of rough weather.