The migrant vessel Adriana, carrying up to 750 people, sank on June 14, 2023, in international waters but within Greece's rescue zone. Initial reports from survivors claimed that Greek coastguards mishandled the situation, resulting in the boat capsizing during an attempted tow. The coastguard disputed these allegations, insisting that they did not intervene as the migrants had expressed a desire to reach Italy instead of Greece.
Recent recordings obtained by the Greek site News247.gr include calls from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) where officials instructed the boat's captain to inform approaching vessels that the migrants did not want to go to Greece. These calls cast doubt on the coastguard's explanations for their actions and raise concerns regarding the treatment of the survivors.
In one exchange, an officer informs the captain that a larger vessel will arrive with supplies and instructs him to communicate that the migrants do not wish to reach Greece. Another conversation later reaffirms that the migrants clearly indicated their preference for Italy over Greece. This contradicts prior statements from the coastguard asserting that the migrants were not in distress and willingly headed toward Italy.
The sinking led to the recovery of 82 bodies; however, the United Nations estimates that around 500 people, including vulnerable women and children, may have perished. The findings have prompted calls for a deeper investigation, as human rights organizations continue to question the integrity of the Greek authorities' handling of the situation.
Legal battles ensued after the disaster, with previous charges against nine Egyptians involved in the sinking dismissed due to jurisdictional issues, further complicating the narrative around the tragedy. Survivors and their advocates have spoken out against what they describe as a cover-up and inadequate governmental response.
The inquiry into this disaster remains ongoing, with the Greek Ombudsman and Maritime Court both engaged in examining the allegations of misconduct and the coastguard's operational practices regarding migrant rescues.
The leaked audio recordings have fueled demands for transparency and accountability amid a backdrop of increasing scrutiny over Greece's treatment of migrants and asylum seekers in perilous sea crossings.
Recent recordings obtained by the Greek site News247.gr include calls from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) where officials instructed the boat's captain to inform approaching vessels that the migrants did not want to go to Greece. These calls cast doubt on the coastguard's explanations for their actions and raise concerns regarding the treatment of the survivors.
In one exchange, an officer informs the captain that a larger vessel will arrive with supplies and instructs him to communicate that the migrants do not wish to reach Greece. Another conversation later reaffirms that the migrants clearly indicated their preference for Italy over Greece. This contradicts prior statements from the coastguard asserting that the migrants were not in distress and willingly headed toward Italy.
The sinking led to the recovery of 82 bodies; however, the United Nations estimates that around 500 people, including vulnerable women and children, may have perished. The findings have prompted calls for a deeper investigation, as human rights organizations continue to question the integrity of the Greek authorities' handling of the situation.
Legal battles ensued after the disaster, with previous charges against nine Egyptians involved in the sinking dismissed due to jurisdictional issues, further complicating the narrative around the tragedy. Survivors and their advocates have spoken out against what they describe as a cover-up and inadequate governmental response.
The inquiry into this disaster remains ongoing, with the Greek Ombudsman and Maritime Court both engaged in examining the allegations of misconduct and the coastguard's operational practices regarding migrant rescues.
The leaked audio recordings have fueled demands for transparency and accountability amid a backdrop of increasing scrutiny over Greece's treatment of migrants and asylum seekers in perilous sea crossings.
