On 18th June the Military Unit Coastal Control (UCC), which are involved in the mission of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (FRONTEX) in Greece (Poseidon Sea 2016), has rescued, near the island of Chios – Greece, 58 people, including 11 women and eight children, who were being carried in two semi-rigid boats.
The rescue occurred during a maritime patrol that was being carried out by the UCC vessel when the military observed the two ships crossing the Aegean Sea between Turkey and the island of Chios in Greece, in order to reach European territory.
After the interception, the military towed the vessels, and later handed over the migrants to a Greek vessel which transported them to the port of Chios.
The people rescued had no injuries and were handed over to local security authorities.
From 1st April 2016 the GNR have deployed during FRONTEX mission in the Greek islands of Chios and Kos, 32 personnel. The main objective of this operation is to prevent, detect and stop illegal activities related to illegal immigration, human trafficking and drug trafficking and helping to safeguard human lives at sea.
Since the beginning of the operation, the GNR has rescued 577 migrants.