Sources told Reuters today, Friday, that the Greek grievance secretary concluded that the Coast Guard forces failed to follow the maritime bases in one of the worst accidents of ship crash in the Mediterranean in 2023, and the level of alert did not raise the danger until after the crowded boat sank.
The results of the investigation, conducted by Greek Ombudsman Andreas Potakis, which have not yet been published, confirm the testimonies of the survivors, and were sent to a naval court to investigate the possibility of the Coast Guard authority.
Botakis recommended last week to take disciplinary measures against 8 coast guard officers, pointing to “clear evidence” of the neglect he spoke of in the performance of the duty, which endangered the life of those who were on the fishing ship called “Adriana”.
The Ministry of Maritime Shipping said that the judicial authorities will submit the report, and that they trust the Coast Guard forces in the “effective protection” of the Greek borders and the European Union.
The Coast Guard authorities denied committing any violations, and indicated a statement of the Ministry of Maritime Shipping when they were asked to comment.
Not following the rules
The Coast Guard continued to monitor Adriana 15 hours before turning and drowning in international waters off the town of Pelos, southwest of the country, on June 14, 2023, and the boat had left Libya heading to Italy with about 750 people on board that monitored reports that only 104 were survived. .
One of the sources said that the investigation concluded that the Coast Guard forces did not follow the bases, and were delayed in the search and rescue process when waiting for the boat to leave the Greece and sailing towards Italy.
The source added, “There was not at any stage before the boat sank, raising the level of danger from the monitoring stage to the distress stage or even alert,” noting the 148 -page report, which rejects the data issued by the Coast Guard, that the boat was valid for sailing, and that who were they were On board, they did not ask to rescue.
Sources said that other results included the failure of the Coast Guard to respond to the calls of the European Border Guard and Coast Guard (Fronx), not to seek help, and to send only one coast guard ship to the accident site that could officially carry 36 people, were carrying special forces and a few rescue equipment.
The sources said that the Coast Guard forces ordered two commercial ships that approached the ship “Adriana” to leave before the fishing ship turned, and the rescue operation came late after people fell into the sea.
The sources also said that the Coast Guard did not alert Adriana regarding the recent attempt to approach, nor was the coast guard contacts in the decisive hours, indicating the inability to trust any of its sinking.
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