BRUSSELS: European Union (EU) lawmakers called for an independent investigation into a migrant boat tragedy off the coast of Greece, expressing dissatisfaction with an internal inquiry conducted by Athens. The incident, which occurred in June, resulted in the possible drowning of hundreds of people on an overcrowded vessel attempting to reach Europe from North Africa.
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson informed MEPs that approximately 600 people were believed to have drowned, while around 110 individuals were rescued, based on information provided by Greek authorities. Johansson revealed that the boat had been operated by Egyptian smugglers who sailed it empty from Egypt and then loaded around 750 migrants in Libya for the Mediterranean crossing to Europe. The migrants were allegedly packed into the overcrowded boat based on their payment, with Pakistani men placed at the bottom, women and children in the middle, and those with higher status on top.
During a European Parliament committee meeting, Frontex chief Hans Leijtens stated that a drone operated by the EU’s border patrol agency had been dispatched to observe the boat but returned to find that it had already sunk. Leijtens claimed that the Greek authorities did not respond to their offer of assistance.
Survivors have accused the Greek coast guard of contributing to the tragedy by tying a rope to their drifting vessel and then speeding away. The Greek government has denied these allegations and has initiated two investigations, one into the smugglers involved and the other into the actions of its coast guard.
Seriousness of Greece Boat Tragedy
MEP Birgit Sippel, chairing the European Parliament hearing, emphasized the seriousness of the tragedy and called for an independent and transparent international investigation. The committee urged Greece and the European Commission to establish a probe urgently to examine the actions taken by the Greek coast guard and Frontex in relation to international obligations for search and rescue.
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson acknowledged the existence of many unanswered questions but emphasized that it is the responsibility of member states to investigate such incidents. She admitted, however, that more needs to be done to prevent future tragedies. Johansson highlighted the Commission’s focus on addressing migration at its source and transit countries, including in Africa, Pakistan, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Libya.
Critics, including NGOs and charities like Oxfam, have accused the EU of implementing a “Fortress Europe” policy and called for a more humanitarian approach to migration. The head of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, Michael O’Flaherty, echoed the need for a proper investigation into the migrant boat tragedy and expressed concern over EU countries’ overly restrictive interpretation of their international duty to launch sea rescues.
