Survivors of the devastating migrant boat disaster near Greece, likely claiming hundreds of lives, recounted the horrific conditions they experienced on their perilous journey. According to their statements, traffickers in North Africa tightly packed them into a worn-out fishing trawler without providing food or water.
The overcrowded boat eventually capsized on June 14, following a failed towing attempt by the Greek coastguard, survivors claimed. Six of the nine statements provided to Greek officials probing the disaster highlighted this ill-fated towing operation.
Survivors recalled how they yelled out in panic as the Greek coastguard vessel attached a rope to the trawler and accelerated, causing the migrant boat to teeter wildly before ultimately capsizing. However, the Greek coastguard and government have publicly disputed these accounts, insisting that they made no attempt to tow the boat.
Clash of Narratives Amidst Ongoing Investigation
The statements of the survivors contradict the official accounts from the Greek coastguard and government, asserting no towing attempt was made and the boat capsized when they were approximately 70 meters away. Greek legal authorities, including the shipping ministry overseeing the coastguard, have refrained from commenting, citing ongoing private investigations.
As part of the preliminary investigation into the disaster, the nine survivors shared their experiences on June 17-18. A group of suspected traffickers were arrested on June 15, charged with manslaughter, migrant smuggling, and causing a shipwreck. They remain in detention while a comprehensive investigation is conducted, potentially leading to a trial. The suspects have denied any wrongdoing.
Desperate Attempt to Reach Europe Ends in Tragedy
Two other survivors, wary of potential backlash from the Greek government, anonymously reiterated the account of the failed towing attempt. Their descriptions painted a harrowing picture of the moment the boat capsized, with people tumbling onto each other in the tumultuous waters.
The Adriana boat set sail from Tobruk, Libya, on June 10, carrying 400-750 migrants from Syria, Egypt, and Pakistan. Each passenger had paid between $4,500 and $6,000 to smugglers who promised a three-day journey to Italy. Unfortunately, the Adriana capsized in the Greek waters southwest of Pylos. While 104 survivors were rescued, it is highly unlikely that more will be found in the Mediterranean’s deepest parts.
Illegal border crossings have seen a surge recently, with the EU border agency recording over 50,000 instances in the first five months of 2023, a 160% rise from the previous year. This incident, along with another recent tragedy where over 30 migrants are feared dead near Spain’s Canary Islands, underscores the escalating crisis faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe.
