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       ATHENS: Greece has rescued hundreds of migrants off its southern islands of Gavdos and Crete in five separate incidents since Friday, its coastguard said on Sunday.

       More than 430 migrants were spotted and rescued about 25 nautical miles off Gavdos, Greece’s southernmost island, on Sunday, the coastguard said in a statement.

       In a separate incident, also on Sunday, the European Union’s Frontex border agency rescued 96 migrants on board two boats off Crete, the coastguard said. The migrants are now being taken to Crete, Greece’s largest and most populous island.

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       Sea arrivals from northeastern Libya of migrants trying to cross to Europe have surged in recent months. They mainly come from the Middle East and North Africa, including nationals from war-torn Sudan and citizens of Egypt and Bangladesh.

       Last month Athens said it would deploy two frigates near Libyan territorial waters to help stem the flow.

       Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2025