Agia Galini: two arrests following the rescue of 88 people
The Coast Guard announced the arrest of an 18-year-old and a 22-year-old as suspected smugglers linked to the two boats. Preliminary investigations continue.
Updated 22.10.2026 · 22:09, Athens time — What changed:
The Coast Guard announced two arrests on 22 October following the rescue of 88 people. An 18-year-old was arrested in connection with the group of 34 and a 22-year-old with the group of 54.
The release says other passengers identified them as smugglers. Preliminary investigations are being conducted by the Rethymno and Heraklion port authorities, respectively. The arrests and identifications do not constitute convictions.
Original update — the two rescue operations
The Hellenic Coast Guard announced on 22 October 2026 that 88 people had been rescued from two boats south of Crete. The separate breakdowns in its release include five minors.
Two locations
The first operation began on the evening of 21 October after the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre reported a boat in distress 35 nautical miles south of Kaloi Limenes. A patrol vessel picked up 54 people: 50 men, one woman and three minors.
The Coast Guard says another boat was subsequently found 40 nautical miles south of Agia Galini, carrying 34 people: 31 men, one woman and two minors.
Transfer ashore
Both groups were brought safely to Agia Galini harbour. The group of 54 then departed for Heraklion port, while the group of 34 departed for Rethymno’s old port, escorted by Coast Guard personnel.
The figures and locations are attributed to the official operational release. It does not identify a departure country or the rescued people’s nationalities. The total of 88 concerns these two boats, rather than all arrivals in Crete.
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