Watch The Med Alarm Phone Investigations – 19th of January 2024
Case name: 2024_01_19-Eastern Med - 026
Situation: 37 people departed from Libya found in distress near Crete, Greece
Status of WTM Investigation: Concluded
Place of Incident: Eastern Med

Summary of the Case:
In the afternoon of the 19th of January 2024, Alarm Phone received information from a relative about 37 people who departed from Libya and found themselves in Greek SAR zone asking for help. After several unsuccesful attempts to reach the people directly and receive more information about the situation, we alterted authorities at 18:15 CET. The Hellenic Coast Guard communicated over the phone that they were already conducting a Search and Rescue operation at the indicated position. Next morning however, we managed to establish direct contact with the people and learned that they were still at sea .
At 12:24 CET on January 20, we sent another email to the Hellenic Coast Guard with an updated position we received from the people in distress in Greek SAR zone. We then learned from the people on the boat that the Hellenic Coast Guard instructed the merchant vessel RHEA Leaders, which was in the vicinity, to take the people on board. JRCC Piraeus confirmed on the phone that they are coordinating the rescue and announced that the people will be brought to Crete. Late afternoon on that day, RHEA Leaders arrived in Crete and disembarked the group at the port of Paleochora.