Search underway off Lesbos after migrant rescue, 2 found unresponsive

Greek authorities have launched a large-scale search-and-rescue operation off the island of Lesbos after seven migrants were pulled from the sea southwest of Cape Agrilia on Monday, officials said.

The Hellenic Coast Guard confirmed that two additional people were recovered unresponsive, as efforts continue to locate others who may still be missing.

“The operation remains ongoing,” a Coast Guard spokesperson said, noting that two patrol vessels, a helicopter, and a land-based unit are involved in the search.

Lesbos, one of the main entry points for migrants attempting to reach the European Union, has witnessed numerous maritime emergencies in recent years, as overcrowded and unseaworthy boats attempt the perilous crossing from Turkey.

Greece, positioned at the southern tip of the EU, has long served as a gateway for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

However, the government has recently tightened its migration policies amid a renewed surge in arrivals, particularly from Libya via the islands of Crete and Gavdos.

Officials have not yet provided details on the nationalities of those rescued or the total number believed to have been on board the vessel. The Coast Guard said that all survivors were brought to safety and are receiving medical attention.

The latest incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Aegean Sea — and the ongoing humanitarian and political challenges for Greece and the wider European Union as migration pressures continue to mount.