At least 17 migrants found dead in half-sunken dinghy off Crete, Greece

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Greek authorities have launched an investigation into a deadly migrant shipwreck south of Crete after a half-sunken inflatable boat was discovered carrying the bodies of 17 people, according to officials.

The vessel, described as almost fully deflated and filled with water, was located 36 nautical miles southwest of Ierapetra by a Turkish-flagged ship, which immediately alerted the Greek Coast Guard.

A patrol boat that reached the scene found 17 dead migrants inside the dinghy, including adults and minors, public broadcaster ERT reported Saturday.

Two survivors, aged 16 and 20, were rescued in critical condition. According to medical staff at the Ierapetra Hospital, both young men showed signs of hypothermia and possible malnutrition.

They have since stabilized and are communicating with doctors. Authorities expect their testimony to shed light on how long the group had been drifting and what led to the mass fatalities.

Port officials are examining whether the dinghy was among seven migrant boats recently sighted heading toward Crete.

In the other cases, passengers were found alive and in good health, prompting investigators to explore whether mechanical failure, abandonment by smugglers, or prolonged exposure to harsh conditions contributed to the tragedy.

The bodies of the 17 victims were transported at dawn to the University Hospital of Heraklion.

Due to limited morgue capacity, the remains are being stored in a refrigerated truck until autopsies begin in the coming days. Forensic teams will seek to determine the exact causes of death for each individual.

The nationalities of the victims and survivors have not yet been confirmed.