Greek Inquiry Into 2023 Migrant Shipwreck Finds Coast Guard Breached Maritime Rules

By Renee Maltezou

ATHENS, Feb 14 (Reuters) – Greece’s Ombudsman has found that the coast guard failed to follow maritime rules in one of the Mediterranean’s worst shipwrecks in 2023, raising the alarm only after the overcrowded migrant boat sank, sources told Reuters on Friday. 

The conclusions of the inquiry by Greek Ombudsman Andreas Pottakis, which have not been published, confirm survivors’ testimonies and have been sent to a naval court investigating potential criminal actions by the authority.

Last week, Pottakis recommended disciplinary action against eight coast guard officers citing “clear indications” of alleged dereliction of duty which resulted in endangering the lives of those aboard the trawler named Adriana. 

The Shipping Ministry sai…