Leaked recordings from the Greek coastguard have emerged, prompting serious questions about the nation's official stance regarding the fatal sinking of a migrant boat in June 2023, which left hundreds of people missing. The ship, which was reportedly carrying up to 650 migrants, capsized early on June 14 while navigating through international waters near Greece.
Survivors have alleged that the Greek coastguard's actions during a rescue attempt contributed to the disaster. They claim coastguard personnel attempted to tow the overcrowded fishing boat, causing it to capsize, and subsequently pressured witnesses to remain silent about the incident. The coastguard refutes these accusations, asserting that the migrants were not in distress and had chosen to head towards Italy instead of Greece.
In the recently obtained recordings, a conversation is heard between Greek rescue center personnel and the captain of the migrant boat, advising him to tell an approaching supply ship that the passengers did not wish to go to Greece. The coastguard has not formally commented on the leaked conversations but states that all relevant evidence has been submitted to a Naval Court investigating the incident.
Analysis indicates that the fishing boat had not moved for several hours prior to its tragic capsizing, contrary to the coastguard's claims that it was navigating towards Italy. Last year, a Greek court dismissed charges against nine Egyptian men tied to the sinking, leading to frustration among victims’ advocates, who allege the Greek authorities have attempted to mislead the public.
Human rights lawyer Dimitris Choulis, who has represented some of the accused, expressed skepticism regarding the Greek authorities' narrative and suggested that the coastguard has a history of either ignoring or actively obstructing rescue efforts. Calls for an international investigation have been made by various human rights organizations, amidst ongoing scrutiny by the Greek Ombudsman and a Naval Court.
As the tragedy unfolds, the fate of hundreds remains uncertain, with human rights groups calling for accountability and further examination of Greece's handling of migrant crises.
