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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Lefteris Pitarakis and Derek Gatopoulos

Greek island sees illegal crossings spike as Europe readies tougher migration measures

A Frontex Italian Guardia Di Finanza OPV Osum patrols the Aegean Sea near Heraklion, Crete Island, Greece, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

An Israeli-built Heron 2 drone whirs off the tarmac on a new surveillance mission.

The aircraft's sensors scan for boats along the 350-kilometer (220-mile) stretch of sea between Libya and the Greek island of Crete and can detect activity hidden below deck.

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