EU expects Greece to conduct ‘thorough, transparent’ investigation into shipwreck

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) - The EU expects Greece to conduct a “thorough and transparent” investigation into last week’s deadly migrant shipwreck near the shores of Kalamata.

“We take note that the prosecutor has started an investigation on this incident. It is very important to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation,” Anitta Hipper, the European Commission spokesperson on home affairs, told reporters.

“EU agencies are present on the ground to provide all necessary support,” she added.

Hipper also underlined that it is essential for “EU member states, EU agencies and third country partners” to work together on fighting “the smugglers who put so many lives at stake.”

Greek authorities are conducting two separate inquiries into the tragedy that has claimed the lives of at least 78 people after a fishing boat carrying refugees and migrants sank off the southern coast of Greece, one of the deadliest such disasters this year.

A total of 104 people were rescued, but the fatality count is expected to rise as survivors said the vessel was carrying more than 600 migrants, mostly from Pakistan, Egypt and Syria.

According to human rights watchdogs, the Greek coast guard might have ignored SOS signals of the boat while some survivors accused the Greek authorities to be “directly involved” in the accident.