Egypt repatriates bodies of 14 migrants after boat sinks off Crete

CAIRO – 28 December 2025: Egypt said on Saturday it had completed the repatriation of 14 migrants who died when their boat sank south of the Greek island of Crete early this month.

The bodies were handed over to their families, the Egyptian Embassy in Athens said in a statement.

The tragedy dates back to early December when a boat carrying 34 irregular migrants from various countries capsized off Crete. The Greek coastguard recovered at least 17 bodies, while the rest remain missing.

The fatalities include at least 14 Egyptians, while 13 others from Egypt are missing, according to figures provided by the Egyptian embassy on December 15.

Only two survivors have been reported so far, both Egyptian nationals, who were taken to a hospital on Crete.

They said the vessel developed engine trouble the following day.

In the wake of the incident, Egypt’s foreign ministry renewed its warning against illegal migration, urging citizens not to fall prey to smuggling networks and to pursue lawful channels of travel to avoid such tragedies.

The ministry expressed its condolences to the families of those who died.