Current:Home > ScamsIndependent inquiry launched into shipwreck off Greece that left hundreds of migrants feared dead-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Independent inquiry launched into shipwreck off Greece that left hundreds of migrants feared dead
View Date:2024-12-23 21:06:04
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s state ombudsman said Thursday that it’s launching an independent investigation into the coast guard’s handling of a maritime tragedy in June in which hundreds of migrants trying to reach Europe in an overloaded boat are feared to have drowned.
The independent authority said that it took the decision following “the expressed denial” of the Greek coast guard to initiate a disciplinary investigation in response to the ombudsman’s written requests.
A military court with jurisdiction over Greece’s navy and coast guard is conducting a preliminary investigation into the June 14 shipwreck, from which 104 survivors and 78 bodies were recovered.
Up to 750 people were believed to have been on the rusty fishing vessel, mostly below decks, when it sharply listed and quickly sank in the night. That would make it one of the worst disasters of its kind in the Mediterranean.
The court is also handling a lawsuit by 40 survivors, who accuse the coast guard of failing to prevent the shipwreck and loss of life.
Activists and human rights groups have strongly criticized the coast guard for its handling of the operation, even though a patrol boat escorted the trawler for hours and was present when it sank in deep waters 75 kilometers (45 miles) off southwestern Greece.
The coast guard said that the sinking appeared to follow a mass movement of people on deck to one side, which tipped the overcrowded trawler over. It also said the migrants, who were trying to get from Libya to Italy, had earlier refused assistance.
But some survivors said that the ship foundered during a botched attempt to tow it — which the coast guard strongly denied.
The ombudsman said there was a need for “absolute transparency” on how Greek authorities handled the operation.
___
Follow AP’s global migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
veryGood! (388)
Related
- Keke Palmer Says Ryan Murphy “Ripped” Into Her Over Scream Queens Schedule
- Wyoming starts selecting presidential delegates Saturday. But there’s not a statewide election
- Nicholas Jordan, student charged in fatal Colorado shooting, threatened roommate over trash
- Chief enforcer of US gun laws fears Americans may become numb to violence with each mass shooting
- Beyoncé's Grammy nominations in country categories aren't the first to blur genre lines
- More than 100,000 biometric gun safes recalled for serious injury risk
- An Army helicopter crash in Alabama left 2 pilots with minor injuries
- Inherited your mom's 1960s home? How to use a 1031 exchange to build wealth, save on taxes
- FBI offers up to $25,000 reward for information about suspect behind Northwest ballot box fires
- Stolen memory card used as evidence as man convicted in slayings of 2 Alaska women
Ranking
- Mississippi woman pleads guilty to stealing Social Security funds
- Federal judge grants injunction in Tennessee lawsuit against the NCAA which freezes NIL rules
- Simone Biles is not competing at Winter Cup gymnastics meet. Here's why.
- Bill headed to South Dakota governor would allow museum’s taxidermy animals to find new homes
- NFL overreactions: New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys going nowhere after Week 10
- Bill headed to South Dakota governor would allow museum’s taxidermy animals to find new homes
- Bengals to use franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins
- Body of nursing student found on a University of Georgia campus; police questioning person of interest
Recommendation
-
Jessica Simpson’s Sister Ashlee Simpson Addresses Eric Johnson Breakup Speculation
-
How an eviction process became the 'ultimate stress cocktail' for one California renter
-
Guinness strips title from world's oldest dog after 31-year-old age questioned
-
Remains identified as Oregon teen Sandra Young over half a century after she went missing
-
Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco arrested again in Dominican Republic, according to reports
-
Q&A: Robert Bullard Says 2024 Is the Year of Environmental Justice for an Inundated Shiloh, Alabama
-
Judge throws out Chicago ballot measure that would fund services for homeless people
-
Wendy Williams, like Bruce Willis, has aphasia, frontotemporal dementia. What to know.