A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Crete, Greece, where a boat carrying Sudanese migrants sank, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 individuals. The Greek Coast Guard reported rescuing 18 survivors from the vessel, four of whom were taken to hospital including a toddler. The incident occurred due to strong winds and prolonged sea travel, as authorities believe the boat had been at sea for several days before the sinking. Crete has been a significant entry point for migrants trying to reach Europe from the Middle East and North Africa, with over 22,000 of the total 86,400 sea arrivals this year landing in Crete alone. The survivors were found shivering from cold by a Moroccan-flagged container ship approximately 15 nautical miles off Crete's coastline. On the same day, the Greek Coast Guard also rescued an additional 187 people in separate incidents along Greece's shoreline. As of now, more than 37,000 migrants have arrived in Greece this year, exceeding the total number that arrived in 2025 according to UN figures. In response to the influx, the Greek government has announced plans to open a temporary housing complex near Heraklion, the Cretan capital. This latest tragedy is reminiscent of Europe's migration crisis in 2015-16 when nearly a million people arrived on Greece's islands, predominantly from Turkey. However, crossings from Libya have increased significantly in recent years, particularly among individuals fleeing conflict in Sudan and seeking better economic opportunities from countries such as Bangladesh.