Irregular migration from Sudan has increased sharply since the war broke out in April 2023. UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi has warned of a new migration wave towards Europe as the conflict continues, with worsening humanitarian pressures pushing thousands of Sudanese to attempt perilous journeys despite the extreme risks.
According to AFP, an official from the Greek coastguard media office said the only two survivors reported that fifteen people fell into the sea, while the bodies of seventeen others were found inside the waterlogged boat about twenty six nautical miles southwest of Crete. Search operations led by the port police are still under way to find the missing.
The official said the engine stopped on Thursday, leaving the vessel exposed to heavy rain and storms that struck Crete and other parts of Greece for two days. The survivors said the boat had no covers, food or drinking water, and that the turbulence caused it to lose stability entirely. These harsh conditions worsened the migrants’ plight.
Greek state television reported that the victims are undergoing autopsies to determine the causes of death, with hypothermia and dehydration likely among the factors. The procedures form part of the ongoing investigation into how the incident unfolded and why so many lives were lost. The boat was first spotted on Saturday afternoon by a Turkish-flagged cargo ship, prompting the deployment of two coastguard vessels, a Frontex boat, a Super Puma helicopter, a European aircraft and three passing ships. The scale of the response reflected the urgency of the rescue attempt.
A Greek official told a local newspaper that all the victims were young men, and that the boat had lost air on both sides, forcing the passengers into a cramped space. The account sheds light on the harsh conditions migrants faced during the journey, which worsened the scale of the disaster.
The incident comes as more migrants, including Sudanese, try to reach Crete as a gateway to the EU via a dangerous sea route from Libya. Tunisia’s Sfax remains another major departure point for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the widening scope of migration across the region.
The war in Sudan has displaced around fifteen million people, including four million who fled to neighbouring countries. Displacement continues as conflict, environmental crises and poor economic conditions push more Sudanese to seek ways out.
UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi noted a sharp rise in Sudanese refugees in Uganda and Libya. He said human trafficking networks and proximity to Europe may push many to board boats heading for Italy and other European states. Last year, he warned Europeans of a potential new wave of Sudanese migration to Europe’s shores, saying declining humanitarian aid is affecting the wider region in dangerous ways.