21 Bangladeshi nationals were rescued after surviving six days adrift in a rubber boat on the Mediterranean Sea, while 22 fellow migrants perished during the journey from Libya to Greece.

Greek coastguard rescued 26 people, including a woman and a minor, off Crete island on March 27. Survivors comprised 21 Bangladeshis, four South Sudanese and one Chadian citizen. Two survivors were hospitalized in Heraklion.

Boat departed from Tobruk, a port city in eastern Libya, on March 21 bound for Greece, gateway for asylum seekers entering European Union. Coastguard stated passengers lost their bearings and remained at sea for six days without food or water.

Survivors told authorities that bodies of deceased migrants were thrown into Mediterranean on orders of smugglers. Greek authorities arrested two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, believed to be the smugglers. They face investigation for illegal entry and negligent homicide charges.

Vessel was located 53 nautical miles south of Ierapetra, a town in southern Crete. Coastguard spokesman confirmed the craft endured unfavourable meteorological conditions during the journey. Food and water shortage combined with harsh weather led to deaths through exhaustion of 22 people.

EU border agency Frontex reported migrant deaths more than doubled in first two months of 2026 compared to last year. International Organization for Migration data showed 559 people died in Mediterranean during January and February, compared to 287 for same period last year.

In December 2025, 17 migrants were found dead inside their partially deflated boat southwest of Crete. Greek authorities found only two survivors, with 15 bodies never recovered.

European Parliament endorsed major tightening of EU migration policy on March 26, approving return hubs concept to send migrants to non-EU countries. Rights groups have criticized proposals as inhumane.

Source: AFP