An independent investigation has been launched into the shipwreck that killed hundreds of migrants.

Greece’s government ombudsman said Thursday it is launching an independent investigation into the coast guard’s handling of a maritime tragedy in June in which hundreds of migrants are believed to have drowned as they tried to reach Europe on an overloaded ship.

The independent body said it made this decision after “expressed refusal” Greek Coast Guard to initiate a disciplinary investigation in response to written requests from the Ombudsman.

The Council of Europe, the continent’s largest human rights organisation, welcomed the move. Human Rights Council Commissioner Dunja Mijatović said an independent investigation to establish the circumstances of what happened and, if necessary, punish those responsible, was of “paramount importance.”

“The initiative taken today by the Greek Ombudsman Institute is a very important contribution to this work”– says her statement.

The military court, which has jurisdiction over the Greek navy and coast guard, is also conducting a preliminary investigation into the June 14 sinking, after which 104 survivors and 78 bodies were found.

The rusty fishing boat is believed to have been carrying up to 750 people, mostly below deck, when it listed sharply and sank quickly overnight. This would be one of the worst disasters of its kind in the Mediterranean.

The court is also considering a lawsuit by 40 survivors who accuse the coast guard of failing to prevent the shipwreck and loss of life. Activists and rights groups have sharply criticized the coast guard for its handling of the operation, although a patrol boat escorted the trawler for several hours and was present when it sank in deep waters 75 km (45 miles) off southwestern Greece.

The coast guard said the sinking was caused by a mass movement of people on deck to one side, causing the overcrowded trawler to capsize. The Coast Guard also said migrants trying to travel from Libya to Italy had previously been refused assistance. However, some survivors claim that the ship sank during a failed attempt to tow it, which the coast guard vehemently denies.

The Ombudsman stated that it is necessary to ensure “absolute transparency” actions of the Greek authorities during the operation.

Also noteworthy is the fact that cameraslocated on the coast guard ship, which was sailing not far from the ill-fated trawler, suddenly deteriorated, and all statements of coast guard employees remained without video or audio recording.

Source link