EU Border Agency's Role in Migrant Shipwreck Criticized

Investigations into the June 2023 tragedy off Greece, where over 600 migrants died, spotlight Frontex's failure to issue a Mayday call.

Over 600 migrants died in a shipwreck off the coast of Greece in June 2023, raising questions about the EU's commitment to saving lives at sea.
Investigations reveal Frontex, the EU border agency, did not issue a Mayday call for the overcrowded Adriana vessel, citing it was not in 'immediate danger'.
The European Ombudsman criticizes Frontex's limited search-and-rescue role and calls for EU legislative changes to enhance its ability to act autonomously in such situations.
Survivors accuse the Greek coastguard of exacerbating the tragedy, leading to separate investigations into their actions.
The tragedy underscores the tension between the EU's duty to save lives and policies aimed at deterring migration, prompting calls for a commission of inquiry into the humanitarian crisis.