L’organisation humanitaire Alarm Phone a fait état de plusieurs appels de détresse provenant de trois groupes de migrants qui tentaient de rejoindre la Grèce, dont 75 personnes bloquées en mer agitée au sud de la Crète.

Dans une série de publications sur X, l’organisation a indiqué que le groupe de 75 personnes se trouvait dans une situation de grande détresse, de l’eau s’infiltrant dans leur embarcation alors qu’elle dérivait au milieu de fortes vagues.

Alarm Phone a précisé que les migrants étaient pris de panique et a appelé les garde-côtes grecs à poursuivre les recherches, après que les autorités auraient déclaré ne pas avoir réussi à localiser l’embarcation, malgré la transmission de coordonnées actualisées.

Dans un autre incident signalé le 1er novembre, l’organisation a indiqué avoir reçu un appel de détresse de 53 personnes bloquées au sud de la Crète.

Selon Alarm Phone, elle avait alerté les garde-côtes grecs la veille au soir et avait été informée qu’une opération de recherche était en cours.

Le groupe aurait été privé de nourriture et d’eau potable dans l’attente des secours.

Cependant, l’organisation a indiqué par la suite que des proches des migrants l’avaient informée du sauvetage du groupe. Les garde-côtes grecs ont également confirmé avoir secouru une embarcation dans la zone.

Alarm Phone s’est réjouie de ce sauvetage, exprimant l’espoir que toutes les personnes à bord étaient saines et sauves.

Dans un autre incident, l’organisation a signalé qu’environ 71 migrants, dont deux femmes enceintes et des enfants, avaient atteint l’île grecque d’Ikaria après l’avoir contactée alors qu’ils étaient encore en mer.

Le groupe aurait sollicité une assistance médicale urgente, Alarm Phone avertissant que plusieurs personnes vulnérables parmi les migrants nécessitaient une prise en charge immédiate.

L’organisation a ensuite indiqué avoir rétabli le contact avec les migrants, qui ont confirmé se trouver dans un commissariat de police sur l’île.

Alarm Phone leur a souhaité beaucoup de courage et de bonne chance pour la suite de leur parcours.

Ces incidents mettent en évidence les risques persistants auxquels sont confrontés les migrants qui tentent de traverser la mer dans des conditions dangereuses pour rejoindre les pays européens, particulièrement lorsque les conditions météorologiques sont défavorables.

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.

Nigerians lose an estimated N75 billion annually to visa application fees and related expenses, with unsuccessful applications to Schengen countries alone accounting for about N19 billion in 2025, according to a report obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The report attributed the losses to rising visa charges, high rejection rates and the non-refundable nature of fees paid to foreign embassies, leaving thousands of Nigerians financially disadvantaged when their applications are rejected.

Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain and the United States were identified as some of the destinations where Nigerian applicants face significant financial risks due to stringent immigration requirements and high visa refusal rates.

Additional costs increase financial burden

The report noted that the cost of applying for visas goes beyond official application fees to include payments for visa application centres, medical insurance, hotel reservations, flight bookings and other supporting documents.

Depending on the destination, an unsuccessful visa application could cost an applicant between N350,000 and N1.2 million, even when the visa is eventually denied.

The situation has raised concerns about the financial implications of international travel for Nigerians, particularly students, tourists and other prospective travellers who must meet demanding documentation requirements before their applications are considered.

Canada, Schengen countries record high rejection rates

Canada reportedly rejected 75 per cent of Nigerian study permit applications between January and April 2026, meaning only one in four applicants received approval during the period.

The report attributed the high refusal rate largely to concerns among Canadian immigration authorities about whether applicants would leave the country after completing their studies.

Within the Schengen Area, Belgium recorded the highest visa refusal rate for Nigerian applicants at 60.3 per cent, followed by Spain at 52.7 per cent and France at 47.4 per cent.

The overall Schengen visa rejection rate for Nigerians increased to 46.9 per cent in 2025, compared with 45.9 per cent in 2024.

Approximately 250,000 applications were rejected during the period, resulting in an estimated N19 billion in losses to Nigerian applicants, according to the report.

UK, US also pose challenges

The United Kingdom recorded an overall visa refusal rate of 33.1 per cent for Nigerian applicants in 2025, which reportedly rose to 35.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2026.

Visitor visa applications had an estimated rejection rate of 38.6 per cent, exposing applicants to potential financial losses from non-refundable fees and travel-related arrangements.

For the United States, the report put the refusal rate for African applicants seeking F-1 student visas at approximately 64 per cent.

The figures underscore the financial risks confronting prospective international students and travellers who spend substantial amounts preparing their applications without any guarantee of approval.

Japan increases visa charges

Japan was identified as one of the destinations with relatively lower visa rejection rates for Nigerians, estimated at between 12 and 15 per cent.

However, the country reportedly increased its visa charges fivefold from July 1, 2026. A single-entry visa now costs ¥15,000, while multiple-entry applications attract a fee of ¥30,000.

The report also highlighted the cost of obtaining visas for other popular destinations.

A 10-year UK visitor visa was estimated at approximately N2.09 million, while a six-month visitor visa costs about N203,000.

The United States B1/B2 visitor visa was put at approximately N299,700, while Canadian visitor visa and biometric charges stood at about N205,000.

Visa-free destinations recommended

To reduce potential financial losses, the report advised Nigerians to consider destinations offering visa-free entry, visas on arrival or electronic travel authorisation, subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements.

Countries identified as possible alternatives include Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, Senegal, The Gambia, Rwanda, Mauritius, Barbados and Dominica.

However, prospective travellers were urged to confirm applicable entry requirements before making travel plans, as visa-free arrangements and other immigration policies may change.

The report also advised intending travellers to verify current visa requirements through official government channels before paying application fees or committing funds to flight bookings, hotel reservations and other travel arrangements.