The Naval Court of Piraeus has ordered an urgent preliminary investigation of the tragic sinking near Farmakonisi on the 20th of January, which resulted in 12 deaths. Amnesty International has been campaigning for an investigation in order to determine the cause of the sinking and prosecute those who are responsible.
The Hellenic Coast Guard has issued a statement explaining that the boat carrying the refugees was being tugged to safety due to the extreme weather conditions and capsized when the passengers suddenly shifted to one side. The Coast Guard has denied allegations of abuse and that it was pushing the refugees back into Turkey.
Amnesty International has urged the Greek government to investigate the serious allegations of abuse and pushing immigrants back into Turkey on the maritime Aegean borders between the two countries, in order to prosecute any implicated officers. The international organization has pointed out that since August 2012 at least 136 refugees (mostly from Syria and Afghanistan) have perished at sea, in at least 12 documented incidents.
The 16 survivors of the Farmakonisi shipwreck were transferred to the port of Piraeus from Leros where they were initially held. Two of the survivors told journalists how they lost their children and wives when the boat carrying them capsized.
