Greece reported a sharp decline in migrant sea arrivals in the first five months of 2026, as government data released on Wednesday showed undocumented arrivals by sea fell by more than 40 percent compared to the same period last year.
Greek authorities attributed the sharp decline to intensified coast guard patrols, expanded surveillance of key maritime corridors, and closer regional coordination, particularly with Turkey.
Greece sees major drop in migrant sea arrivals on Eastern Aegean route
The steepest decline was recorded on the Eastern Aegean route, which runs from the Turkish mainland to the Greek islands. Arrivals on that route dropped 63 percent, falling to 3,029 in the first five months of 2026 from 8,082 during the same period in 2025.
Authorities said reported trafficking incidents along the route also fell sharply, declining to 118 from 330 last year. According to Greek officials, the figures reflect a stronger operational presence by the coast guard, tighter monitoring of maritime crossings, and closer cooperation with neighboring countries.
Libya-to-Crete migrant route records slight decline in sea arrivals
On the southern migrant smuggling route from Libya to Crete, arrivals recorded a smaller decline of about three percent compared to last year. The drop came despite favorable weather conditions, which often increase the likelihood of sea crossings.
The route has drawn increased attention from Greek authorities, as Crete and the nearby island of Gavdos have seen repeated migrant arrivals from North Africa.
Boat carrying 38 migrants detected south of Gavdos
Earlier Wednesday, a boat with thirty-eight migrants was detected twenty-six nautical miles south of Gavdos during an operation coordinated by Greece’s Joint Rescue Coordination Center. According to the coast guard, the vessel was first spotted by a Frontex aircraft. The passengers were later transferred to Crete.
The incident underscored the continued pressure on Greece’s southern maritime borders, even as overall arrivals by sea have fallen.
Greece steps up cooperation with Libya
Greek authorities have also strengthened cooperation with the Libyan Coast Guard as part of efforts to curb departures from North Africa. The cooperation includes plans to station a liaison officer in Benghazi and provide training for the North African country’s coast guard personnel.
Officials say the goal is to improve coordination against migrant smuggling networks and strengthen monitoring of routes leading toward Crete and Gavdos.
