A naval court charges Greek coastguards, including the captain, in a migrant shipwreck incident, signaling a potential shift in accountability over maritime disasters.
Greek Coastguards Face Charges Over Deadly Migrant Boat Disaster
Greek Coastguards Face Charges Over Deadly Migrant Boat Disaster
Seventeen coastguards implicated in tragedy that claimed up to 650 lives near Pylos.
In a significant development in the wake of the worst maritime disaster in the Mediterranean in a decade, a naval court in Greece has charged 17 members of the Hellenic Coast Guard following the sinking of the Adriana fishing vessel. This tragic incident, which occurred in the early hours of June 14, 2023, off the coast of Pylos, saw up to 650 migrants feared drowned as the overcrowded boat capsized.
Survivors have alleged that the coastguards' actions during the attempted towing of the vessel directly led to its sinking, and they claim to have been silenced about the events. One survivor expressed frustration, stating, “It has taken us two years just for these charges to come, even though so many people witnessed what happened.” The Greek authorities have steadfastly denied these accusations.
Among those charged is the captain of the coastguard vessel LS-920, facing serious charges including "causing a shipwreck" and "failure to provide assistance," which have drawn attention to the conduct of the Greek Coast Guard during the incident. It is believed that out of the original 750 passengers, only 104 have survived, raising questions about the effectiveness of the coastguard's response.
Investigations have revealed inconsistencies in the official narrative provided by Greek authorities. Reports indicate that the coastguard ship had closely monitored the Adriana for several hours prior to the disaster. Accounts from survivors allege that the coastguard vessel inadvertently caused the migrant boat to capsize by maneuvering too aggressively during the attempted rescue.
One survivor reported, "They attached a rope from the left... the Greek vessel moved off quickly causing our boat to flip." There have also been claims of intimidation towards witnesses, with warnings to remain silent about the incident.
Legal representatives for the victims hailed the charges as a milestone towards accountability and justice. They stated that the prosecution of high-ranking coastguard officers represents a positive step in addressing the grievances of those affected by the tragedy.
As the court prepares to question the 17 charged coastguards over the upcoming weeks, it remains to be seen whether they will face a full trial or have the charges dismissed. The potential outcomes of this case may influence how such maritime tragedies are handled in the future.
Survivors have alleged that the coastguards' actions during the attempted towing of the vessel directly led to its sinking, and they claim to have been silenced about the events. One survivor expressed frustration, stating, “It has taken us two years just for these charges to come, even though so many people witnessed what happened.” The Greek authorities have steadfastly denied these accusations.
Among those charged is the captain of the coastguard vessel LS-920, facing serious charges including "causing a shipwreck" and "failure to provide assistance," which have drawn attention to the conduct of the Greek Coast Guard during the incident. It is believed that out of the original 750 passengers, only 104 have survived, raising questions about the effectiveness of the coastguard's response.
Investigations have revealed inconsistencies in the official narrative provided by Greek authorities. Reports indicate that the coastguard ship had closely monitored the Adriana for several hours prior to the disaster. Accounts from survivors allege that the coastguard vessel inadvertently caused the migrant boat to capsize by maneuvering too aggressively during the attempted rescue.
One survivor reported, "They attached a rope from the left... the Greek vessel moved off quickly causing our boat to flip." There have also been claims of intimidation towards witnesses, with warnings to remain silent about the incident.
Legal representatives for the victims hailed the charges as a milestone towards accountability and justice. They stated that the prosecution of high-ranking coastguard officers represents a positive step in addressing the grievances of those affected by the tragedy.
As the court prepares to question the 17 charged coastguards over the upcoming weeks, it remains to be seen whether they will face a full trial or have the charges dismissed. The potential outcomes of this case may influence how such maritime tragedies are handled in the future.
