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The Greek coast-guard service has rescued 130 illegal immigrants around Koufonisia near Crete. The immigrants were found at about 30 nautical miles away from the island. They were in a sailboat which was filled with water. Their ultimate goal was to reach Malta, from where they were planning to set off to continental Europe.
Despite the nationwide strike which applies to all local government organizations, the councillors from Ierapetra and the municipal employees have joined forces to find shelter for the foreigners.
The integrated rescue centre and the coast-guard services were informed about the incident at 5:40 in the morning. The rescue operation involved one vessel of the coast-guard service, a ship of the navy, a cargo ship and a fishing vessel. Meanwhile, the municipal services of the town of Ierapetra, chaired by mayor Safis Anasthassakis, held a three-hour meeting to find a shelter for the shipwrecked.

"We are trying to coordinate our actions in order to be ready to receive the foreigners. We have learnt that the people on board the sunken vessel are of different ages and gender. Therefore, it is difficult to find a suitable place, as we have no proper infrastructure to receive immigrants. We hope that the state will respond quickly and effectively in order to avoid serious problems," said the mayor of Ierapetra in the morning.

Despite the nationwide strike which applies to all local government organizations, the councillors from Ierapetra and the municipal employees have joined forces to find shelter for the foreigners.
 
After exploring the options, the residents of the island have decided to make available the city indoor sports hall and to turn it into a temporary shelter for the immigrants. They admit that they are not prepared for the operation and rely on the help of the activists from the Red Cross and the Samaritan organization to provide them with blankets, sheets, basic toiletries and other essential items in order to be able to receive the foreigners.

"We are trying to do what we can, as municipal authorities and citizens, to help the people who are in trouble. The local community has shown compassion and sympathy for the problems of others and will do the same again," said the mayor.

He stressed that the central government should pay more attention to the sea border areas and that it should fund the establishment of relevant infrastructure in order for them to be able to respond in similar cases.

In Greece, there are 10 reception centres for immigrants but there is no such a centre in Ierapetra although this is not the first time that the coast-guard service has rescued boats with people coming from third countries.