14-year-old arrested over alleged trafficking of 43 migrants to Gavdos

A 14-year-old boy is being treated as the suspected smuggler in a case involving 43 migrants found on the Greek island of Gavdos. The teenager, a South Sudanese national, allegedly piloted the boat from Tobruk, Libya, in return for money.

The case emerged after Greek coast guard officers and two private vessels located and rescued the migrants near the Kamaréles area of Gavdos on Tuesday morning, Sept. 1. The group consisted of 42 men and one woman.

The migrants were first taken to temporary accommodation provided by the municipality of Gavdos. They were later transported by a coast guard patrol boat to the port of Chora Sfakion and then to a temporary facility in Agia, Chania.

During the preliminary investigation, passengers identified the 14-year-old as the person who had transported them, according to a coast guard statement. Authorities are preparing a case against him over alleged violations of legislation concerning illegal entry and facilitation, as well as the offense of exposing people to danger. The Chania Central Port Authority is conducting the investigation.