Latest Crete News

More than 230 migrants reach Greece in small boats, half via the long route from Libya

Oct. 11, 2024 10:59 AM EDT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — More than 230 migrants reached Greece in small boats over the past two days, including a rare case of a crossing from north Africa to Greece's southern mainland, authorities said Friday. The arrivals come as Greece's government braces for a potential increase...

More than 230 migrants reached the Greek island of Crete from North Africa over the weekend

Oct. 07, 2024 16:51 PM EDT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — More than 230 migrants crossing the Mediterranean in small boats from North Africa reached Greece's southern island of Crete over the weekend, Greek authorities said Monday. The arrivals, in six separate crossings, far outnumbered the few dozen migrants who...

A rockfall triggered by a rainstorm kills a woman hiker in Greece

Sep. 18, 2024 14:11 PM EDT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A rockfall triggered by a sudden rainstorm fatally injured a hiker in a popular national park on the Greek island of Crete Wednesday, authorities said. The accident occurred in the Samaria Gorge of western Crete. The victim was identified by state-run ERT...

A magnitude-5.2 quake hits the Greek island of Crete with no immediate reports of injuries, damage

Aug. 28, 2024 13:20 PM EDT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2 struck off the southern Greek resort island of Crete on Wednesday, authorities said. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The Athens Geodynamic Institute said the undersea quake occurred at...

Greek authorities rescued 147 migrants trying to reach the country in small boats

Aug. 21, 2024 11:01 AM EDT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities rescued nearly 150 migrants trying to reach the country by sea in small boats over a 24-hour period, officials said Wednesday, including one that had 115 people crammed into it. A coast guard statement said the vessel was located in distress...

Greek authorities detain migrants on Crete as smugglers seek new routes

Aug. 20, 2024 13:17 PM EDT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Authorities on the southern Greek island of Crete detained 76 migrants early Tuesday after they arrived on three boats, as smugglers seek new routes in the region to evade coast guard patrols. The migrants from Syria, Egypt, Sudan and Bangladesh included six...

Greece flies more firefighters to battle a blaze on Crete, and orders new evacuations

Aug. 08, 2024 16:00 PM EDT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities flew additional forces Thursday to the southern island of Crete, where 250 firefighters battled a wildfire that forced the evacuation of eight villages in mountainous areas. The blaze tore through olive groves, farmland and scrub, damaging...

Hundreds of firefighters battle wildfire on Greek island of Crete. A village has been evacuated.

Aug. 07, 2024 15:43 PM EDT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — More than 200 firefighters on the southern Greek island of Crete strove late Wednesday to contain a large wildfire that forced authorities to evacuate one village and prepare others for evacuation. The fire service said 222 firefighters were battling the...