Council of Europe Urges Greece to End Pushbacks as 6,400 Migrants Arrive in Italy and 204 Rescued Near Gavdos

In April 2025, approximately 6,400 migrants arrived on Italy's coasts, marking a 35% increase compared to the same month the previous year. Many migrants originate from predominantly Islamic countries including Bangladesh, Eritrea, Pakistan, Egypt, and Syria. Greece is experiencing a surge in migrant arrivals as well, with around 3,000 undocumented migrants reaching Crete since the beginning of the year. A recent large-scale rescue operation by the Greek Coast Guard saved 204 migrants south of Gavdos.

The Council of Europe and its Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, have urged Greece to end pushbacks at its borders and to ensure accountability for human rights violations. This follows concerns expressed by Europe’s top human rights watchdog regarding pushbacks. Meanwhile, Greece is attempting to fill 80,000 jobs in its tourism sector by turning to asylum seekers and foreign workers. In a separate development, the humanitarian organization SOS Méditerranée reported that its vessel Ocean Viking rescued 108 people, including an 11-month-old baby, off the coast of Libya, many of whom were suffering from exhaustion and received urgent medical care. Additionally, a medical evacuation took place near Boulogne-sur-Mer involving a Dauphin helicopter from the French Navy.