Greek authorities have transported more than 500 migrants to a port on the mainland in an effort to relieve strain on the island of Crete after a surge in arrivals from Libya.

More than 500 migrants arrived at the port of Lavrio near Athens on Thursday after being intercepted south of the island of Crete, after a surge of arrivals from Libya.

Greece has rescued hundreds of migrants off its southern islands of Gavdos and Crete in five separate incidents since Friday, its coastguard said on Sunday. More than 430 migrants were spotted and rescued about 25 nautical miles off Gavdos,