Hundreds missing, Greece asked to investigate migrant shipwreck

2023-06-21 16:49:55, Kosova & Bota CNA

Greece is under increasing pressure to launch an investigation into the June 13 sinking of a ship carrying around 750 migrants. At least 82 people died and hundreds more are missing, including women and children. Most of the migrants were from Egypt, Syria and Pakistan.

Hundreds of protesters marched in the port of Piraeus on Sunday towards the headquarters of the Greek coast guard and the European Union's border agency Frontex - holding placards reading the word "murderers".

The sinking of the ship with migrants is the biggest accident in years while it is hinted that the authorities did not do enough to give their help.

The ship left Libya with about 750 people on board. Images taken by a Frontex plane on the morning of June 13 show the ship near the Greek coast.

The Greek coast guard initially said the ship was on a course to Italy and did not intervene. He then said he tried to help the migrant boat by tying it off - but claims the migrants untied him.

Footage taken on June 13 by a ship that later went to help the migrants shows the crew offering them water and food. The immigrant ship appeared to be revving its engines.

The ship sank late that night in Greek waters. Many survivors said the ship's engine had been shut down hours before it sank.

The United Nations has called for an investigation. Human rights groups have supported the request, saying the survivors' testimony contradicts the version provided by the coast guard.

"Survivors say that their boat was tied with a rope by the coast guard and that the cause of the incident was the rope, after the boat took a wrong turn and sank. It is absolutely essential that a proper, independent and effective investigation is carried out. Aerial footage shows a ship in disrepair. So the bodies are obliged to intervene, this is their duty. There is a failure and a delay", Kondylia Gogou with the organization Amnesty International tells VOA.

Greece continues to insist that the migrants did not seek help and were not in danger until the ship sank.

Greek police have arrested nine suspects, all Egyptian nationals, who are believed to have been on the ship. Critics also blame European migration policy.

"As long as the EU does not have sufficient policies for safe and legal routes, these types of dangerous journeys will continue," says Kondylia Gogou with Amnesty International.

The survivors were sent to a migrant camp. Amidst the grief, there were occasional moments of joy as survivors were reunited with their people. Hundreds of people listed as missing are presumed dead. Their loved ones seek the truth and justice./ VOA