A naval court in Greece has charged 17 members of the Hellenic Coast Guard in connection with the deadliest migrant boat disaster in the Mediterranean Sea in a decade. The incident occurred on June 14, 2023, when the overcrowded Adriana fishing vessel sank near Pylos, Greece, with up to 650 people on board. Only 104 survivors have been confirmed, leaving many presumed drowned.
Among those charged is the captain of the coastguard ship LS-920, who faces accusations of causing a shipwreck, leading to the deaths of at least 82 people. Additionally, four officials, including the then-Chief of the Coast Guard and the Supervisor of the National Search and Rescue Coordination Centre in Piraeus, have been charged with exposing others to danger. The captain is also charged with dangerous interference with maritime transport and failure to assist the migrant boat. The crew members of the ship face charges of simple complicity in all the acts allegedly committed by the captain.
The disaster took place in international waters but within Greece’s rescue zone. The Greek authorities have consistently denied the claims against them. However, survivors have alleged that Greek coastguards caused their boat to capsize during a botched attempt to tow it and subsequently silenced witnesses. One Syrian survivor, referred to as Ahmad, expressed frustration over the delay in charges, stating, “It has taken us two years just for these charges to come, even though so many people witnessed what happened.”
The Adriana had been monitored by a coastguard ship for 15 hours before it sank. The vessel had departed from Libya for Italy with an estimated 750 people on board. The official Greek version of events has been challenged by shipping data and survivor testimonies, raising serious doubts about the authorities’ account of the incident.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding migrant journeys across the Mediterranean and the responsibilities of authorities in ensuring the safety and protection of vulnerable individuals.
