Recently leaked audio instructions from Greek rescue coordinators have raised doubts about the official account of a tragic maritime disaster involving a migrant boat that sank with potentially 650 individuals onboard. The vessel, named the Adriana, went down on June 14, 2023, in international waters within Greece’s rescue jurisdiction after departing from Libya several days earlier.
Survivors of the incident later recounted to the BBC that the Greek coastguards had caused their already overcrowded fishing boat to capsize in a failed attempt to tow it, and then coerced witnesses into silence. Contrary to these allegations, the Greek coastguard refuted the claims, asserting that they did not intervene to rescue the passengers as they believed there was no immediate danger, and the individuals onboard had expressed a desire to reach Italy rather than Greece.
However, a recently surfaced phone call from an unidentified individual inside a Greek rescue coordination center instructs the captain of the migrant boat to inform an approaching ship that the passengers do not wish to be taken to Greece. While the coastguard has not addressed the content of the audio, they have handed over all available evidence to a Naval Court investigating the disaster.
The sinking of the Adriana is considered one of the deadliest tragedies in the Mediterranean Sea, with an estimated 750 migrants aboard when it departed from Tobruk in Libya. Only 82 bodies were recovered, while the United Nations fears that an additional 500 individuals, including women and children, may have perished, particularly those who were in the hold of the ship.
Audio recordings obtained by the Greek website News247.gr reveal conversations involving the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) located in Piraeus near Athens. Notably, the recordings capture discussions between officers and the captains of the Lucky Sailor and Faithful Warrior vessels, detailing the delivery of supplies and the passengers’ preference to continue to Italy rather than Greece.
Greek Authorities Face Scrutiny Over Handling of Migrant Boat Disaster
In a developing story, questions have arisen concerning the actions of Greek authorities following a tragic migrant boat sinking. The Greek coastguard has been under intense scrutiny, with allegations of mishandling and potential misconduct coming to light.
The Greek coastguard, while refraining from providing detailed comments on ongoing investigations, confirmed that it had presented all relevant materials, including audio recordings and event logs, to the Maritime Court Prosecutor’s Office for review. This move comes amidst mounting pressure on the coastguard’s handling of the maritime incident.
Despite the coastguard’s claims of extensive rescue efforts and successful operations in saving hundreds of thousands of lives over the past decade, doubts have been cast on their narrative by recent revelations. A BBC investigation following the disaster challenged the official explanation put forth by Greek authorities, raising concerns about the accuracy of the account provided.
Analysis of the movements of vessels in the vicinity of the ill-fated fishing boat suggested a prolonged period of inactivity before the vessel capsized. This contradicts the coastguard’s assertion that the boat was en route to Italy and did not require immediate assistance during the critical hours preceding the tragedy.
Notably, a previous legal case involving nine Egyptian individuals accused of involvement in the shipwreck was dismissed by a Greek court in Kalamata. The court cited jurisdictional limitations due to the incident occurring in international waters, leading to the charges being dropped.
Echoes of doubt and suspicion reverberate in the aftermath of the disaster, with human rights lawyer Dimitris Choulis highlighting concerns over the coastguard’s alleged practices of neglect and potential cover-ups. Choulis pointed to a pattern of behavior where individuals in distress were either turned away or not aided promptly, painting a troubling picture of the authorities’ response to such emergencies.
The narrative put forth by Greek officials, suggesting that the migrants did not wish to be rescued, has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. Rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have expressed reservations about the integrity of the Greek investigation, calling for an independent international inquiry to shed light on the events leading up to the tragedy.
The Greek Ombudsman has been tasked with examining the allegations of misconduct and negligence surrounding the incident, adding another layer of oversight to the unfolding situation. Parallel to this, the Greek Naval Court is also conducting its own inquiry into the circumstances of the migrant boat disaster.
As the spotlight intensifies on the actions of the Greek authorities in the wake of the tragic event, calls for transparency, accountability, and justice grow louder. The handling of such incidents involving vulnerable populations seeking safety and refuge at sea warrants utmost scrutiny and adherence to humanitarian principles.
The unfolding saga underscores the complexities and challenges faced in addressing the humanitarian crisis of migrant journeys across perilous waters, urging a reevaluation of protocols and practices to ensure the safety and well-being of all those in distress at sea.
