The Maritime Police rescued 45 migrants on 11 October – 42 men, two women and one child – who were aboard a vessel about 18 nautical miles (approximately 10 kilometres) southwest of the island of Gavdos, Greece.

According to the National Maritime Authority, the rescue took place as part of the “Joint Operation (JO) Greece 2026” mission, Lusa reports.

In a statement, the Portuguese entity says that, following a request for intervention from the Greek authorities, a vessel was intercepted, from which 45 people (including a pregnant woman) were rescued. They were found to be in good physical condition, without needing medical assistance, and were subsequently transported to the port of Karave, where they awaited the arrival of the competent authorities.

Further rescues off Gavdos

Also on Friday and Saturday, the Portuguese Maritime Police rescued a total of 145 people off the coast of Gavdos Island.

On Saturday, 43 men were rescued, 40 of Bangladeshi nationality and three of Sudanese nationality, and on Friday another 102 migrants were rescued (91 men, 10 women and one child) who were aboard two boats, about 31 nautical miles south of Gavdos Island.

European border operation

The Maritime Police is integrated into the “Joint Operation (JO) Greece 2026” mission, coordinated by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), in support of the Hellenic Coast Guard, contributing to the surveillance of the European Union's external maritime border and to the operational response to situations that endanger human life at sea.

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