Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have called for significant advancements in the investigation into the shipwreck of an overcrowded trawler off the coast of the Greek town of Pylos, which remains in the preliminary phase even a year after the tragic incident.
The shipwreck, which occurred on June 14, 2023, involved the Adriana, an overcrowded boat carrying approximately 750 people from Syria, Pakistan, and Egypt. Only 104 people survived the disaster, while 82 bodies were recovered, of which only 58 have been identified. Tragically, over 500 people remain missing.
The investigation, conducted by a Greek Naval Court, is focused on determining the potential liability of the Hellenic Coast Guard. Despite being initiated in June 2023, the investigation has seen little progress, prompting HRW and Amnesty International to issue a joint statement on June 13, 2024, criticizing the slow pace.
Judith Sunderland, associate Europe and Central Asia director at HRW, expressed frustration, stating, “It is unconscionable that one year after this horrific tragedy, the investigation into the potential liability of the Hellenic Coast Guard has barely progressed.” She emphasized the need for accountability and an end to the violence and impunity at Greece’s borders. Adriana Tidona, a migration researcher at Amnesty International, echoed these sentiments, stressing the urgency for Greek authorities to advance their investigations to bring justice and closure to the affected families.
On June 13, 2023, Greek authorities were alerted to the Adriana, an overcrowded trawler within their search and rescue region. The boat tragically sank 15 hours later. Research by HRW and Amnesty International, along with other organizations, pointed to failures by Greek authorities in the hours leading up to the shipwreck. There are serious allegations that a Hellenic Coast Guard patrol boat caused the trawler to capsize while attempting to tow it.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have raised concerns about the fairness of the ongoing trial. They joined the case before the Greek Naval Court with a complaint on behalf of 53 survivors, alleging Greek authorities’ responsibility for the shipwreck. Survivors and families, still in limbo with over 500 people missing, await the truth about their loved ones’ fate.
In a related development, on May 21, the criminal court in Kalamata dismissed a case against nine survivors who had been accused of smuggling and causing the shipwreck. These defendants had been detained for 11 months before the trial. Amnesty International and HRW have expressed concerns over the fairness of this trial, noting that the case was based on incomplete and questionable evidence, particularly since the investigation into the Coast Guard’s role remains unfinished.
Further complicating the situation is the integrity of the evidence collected during the investigations. Amnesty International and HRW have reported concerns about this, especially since the Naval Court prosecutor’s request for forensic analysis of coast guard officers’ phones—seized by authorities only in late September 2023, more than two months after the incident—remains pending.