The death toll following the boat disaster south of Crete has risen to 32, according to the Egyptian embassy in Greece. Most of the victims were young Egyptians attempting to reach Europe. Rescue operations were complicated by storms, which hindered immediate assistance. Initially, the Greek coast guard had reported 18 casualties.

Egypt serves as both a source and transit country for migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. Such crossings frequently result in fatal incidents, reflecting ongoing risks faced by migrants in the region.

This information was reported on December 16, 2025, by Deutschlandfunk.