Leaked audio recordings have put the Greek government's narrative regarding a horrific shipwreck into serious doubt. On June 14, 2023, a migrant boat named Adriana sank with an estimated 650 people onboard after departing from Libya. Survivors have accused the Greek coastguard of exacerbating the situation, claiming they attempted to tow the overcrowded fishing vessel, causing it to capsize. The coastguard countered this by stating that the boat was not in danger and the migrants had willingly sought to reach Italy instead of Greece.
The audio, obtained by News247.gr, features conversations from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Piraeus. In one exchange, a rescuer instructs the captain of the Adriana to say they do not wish to go to Greece. In a subsequent call, the captain of a nearby ship confirms that migrants were shouting for Italy, suggesting a lack of awareness about their perilous situation.
Despite these claims, the coastguard has maintained its stance, stating it has handed over evidence to the prosecution related to the disaster. Human rights advocates have raised concerns about the legitimacy of the investigation while the Greek Ombudsman continues to monitor the allegations. The ongoing discourse has sparked calls for broader accountability and an international inquiry into the incident.
