Greece: The European Union watchdog Ms. Emily O’Reilly has announced a probe into the bloc’s border patrol agency, Frontex, due to its actions during a deadly shipwreck off Greece.
“The investigation is aimed at clarifying Frontex’s role in search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea following the drowning of hundreds of people off the coast of Greece on June 14,” Ombudsman Ms. O’Reilly noted in a statement.
The independent probe by the European Ombudsman will into suspected cases of poor administration by EU bodies. It adds to two investigations Greece says it has started, including a criminal one into alleged smugglers it blames for the tragedy and another into the actions of its coastguard.
The boat that sank, an overcrowded fishing trawler, was carrying up to 750 people picked up in Libya who sought to cross the Mediterranean to illegally enter Europe.
About 100 of them were saved, but it is thought that around 600 lost their lives, as per data from Greece reported by EU Commissioner Ms. Ylva Johansson to the European Parliament.
EU members in that hearing showed doubt that the Greek authorities would conduct a thorough investigation into the sinking incident. They demanded an independent and transparent investigation, and Ms. O’Reilly stated that her office’s investigation would be conducted in collaboration with the Greek Ombudsman Mr. Andreas Pottakis.
“A tragedy of this magnitude requires all those involved to reflect on their responsibilities and to be clear to the public who is accountable for these deaths,” Ms. O’Reilly further remarked.
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