Greece Ombudsman Calls for Disciplinary Action Following Migrant Shipwreck Inquiry

Greece’s government ombudsman has completed an inquiry into a tragic migrant shipwreck off Pylos in 2023, recommending a disciplinary investigation for eight senior officers of the Hellenic Coast Guard. The incident involved the overloaded fishing vessel Adriana, which sank on June 14, resulting in 82 confirmed deaths, 104 survivors, and up to 500 presumed dead. The Hellenic Coast Guard’s actions, particularly those of patrol vessel PPLS-920, have been under scrutiny, with survivors accusing the crew of contributing to the capsizing by attempting to tow the Adriana.

Multiple inquiries by reputable news organizations found evidence suggesting that PPLS-920 may have played a role in the capsizing while attempting to tow the Adriana. Despite calls for an internal disciplinary investigation by the ombudsman, the coast guard has refused to act. Ombudsman Andreas Pottakis conducted his own independent investigation, uncovering “clear indications” that eight senior officers had disregarded the risk to the migrants’ lives on board the Adriana, violating Greece’s Criminal Code.

Pottakis highlighted that crucial evidence, such as phone call audio with the Adriana’s captain and video recordings from PPLS-920’s cameras, was either withheld or not provided for the inquiry. He has forwarded his conclusions to the Prosecution Authority of the Piraeus Maritime Court and the Ministry of Shipping, urging a full inquiry to uphold the constitutional demand for transparency and accountability in the aftermath of the Pylos shipwreck with numerous fatalities.

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