Dozens of migrants dead, scores rescued from boats trying to reach Greek island of Crete and Spain, authorities say

November 9, 2026 / 7:49 AM EST / CBS/AP

Greek authorities recovered 13 bodies from a boat carrying migrants found sailing south of the Greek island of Crete early Monday, while one of 18 other people rescued from the same vessel was later confirmed dead at a health center in Crete, the coast guard said.

There was no immediate information available on the identities or nationalities of those on board or what had caused the deaths of the 14 people.

In addition, French news agency AFP reports that eight bodies were found on a second boat off Crete and about 28 survivors from that boat, all Sudanese nationals, were picked up by another boat sailing nearby, then transferred to a police vessel and taken to Crete, authorities said Sunday.

Maritime police had launched an emergency rescue late Saturday after a boat issued an alarm signal, with strong winds making sea conditions difficult, the coast guard said.

Two Sudanese citizens, one of them 16, were arrested after being identified by the survivors as suspected people smugglers, authorities said.

Separately, the coast guard said more than 180 other people were found on three other boats heading across the Mediterranean Sea from North…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/