Alarm rang on the night of August 20th 2025 in Ports Principles of Gythio, Neapolis Veion and Kythera, When the Single Research and Rescue Coordination Center (EKSED) informed a boat with foreign occupants in a difficult position, 26 nautical miles west of Kythera.
A patrol boat of the Coast Guard rushed to the area, which identified the ruler and rescued ten people. Shortly thereafter, a cargo ship with an Italian flag was sailed to the spot, which recovered the remaining 42 occupants.
The rescuers were safely transported to the port of Gythio. Specifically, the ten who had been rescued by the patrol landed directly to the port, While the rest of the 42 were moved from the Italian truck to the “Tolmir” Lanza and then disembarked safely.
A total of 52 people – 43 men, 5 women and 4 minors – arrived in Gythio, all in good health. According to the first testimonies, their journey had begun in the early hours of 18 or 19 August by Turkey’s marble to Italy.
The case, however, also had a continuation. By the Gythio Port Authority, which conducts the preliminary investigation, Two men, Azerbaijan, were arrested, 35 and 36 years old, who were recognized by the others as the traffickers. A case file was filed against them for violations related to illegal entry into the country (Law 3386/2005), the convenience of transporting immigrants (Law 5038/2023) and the offense of the report (Article 306 CC).
52 rescuers are found now under the supervision of the competent authorities, while the preliminary investigation is continuing to clarify the case.