"A coastguard spokesperson told the AFP news agency that the rescued asylum seekers were from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan and the occupied Palestinian territory. They were taken to the Cretan city of Rethymno, the spokesperson said, and after undergoing health checks, their asylum claims will be processed. In a separate incident on Thursday, the European Union's border agency Frontex rescued 65 men and five women seeking refuge from two boats in distress off Gavdos, the Greek coastguard added."
"Nearly 540 asylum seekers have been rescued from a fishing boat south of the island of Crete, Greece's coastguard says. The people were found some 16 nautical miles (29.6km) off Gavdos during a Greek search operation on Friday, the coastguard said in a statement, without specifying where the boat had set sail from."
"Next June, the EU's new migration and asylum pact will enter into force, and Greece, along with Cyprus, Spain and Italy, will be eligible for help from other EU nations in dealing with the pressures that stem from increased migration. According to the European Council, assistance under the pact includes support from EU agencies, as well as EU funds."
Almost 540 asylum seekers were rescued from a fishing boat about 16 nautical miles off Gavdos and taken to Rethymno on Crete. The rescued people include nationals from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan and the occupied Palestinian territory. After undergoing health checks, their asylum claims will be processed. In a separate incident, Frontex rescued 65 men and five women from two boats in distress off Gavdos. Crete and Gavdos have seen a recent rise in asylum boats, with many vessels reportedly departing from countries such as Libya. A new EU migration and asylum pact will provide member-state support and funding.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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