Greece delays probe into deadly Pylos shipwreck
Greece has yet to launch disciplinary proceedings over the 2023 Pylos migrant shipwreck, despite a completed preliminary investigation and repeated calls for action, the country’s ombudsman said.
According to Kathimerini, the independent authority confirmed that no administrative process has been initiated, even though criminal prosecutions on felony charges are already under way.
The disaster occurred on June 14, 2023, when a fishing trawler carrying an estimated 750 migrants sank off southern Greece, leaving more than 500 people dead or missing.
The ombudsman said it had concluded its initial inquiry 15 months ago, examining potential actions and omissions by senior Coast Guard officials. However, the Shipping Ministry has not moved forward with disciplinary measures and has not responded to repeated requests for updates.
While the ministry sought guidance from the State Legal Council, a legal opinion issued in November confirmed that it retains jurisdiction to proceed with disciplinary action. The ombudsman noted that the opinion became binding after being accepted, yet no further steps have followed.
Andreas Pottakis warned that continued delays could undermine institutional credibility, weaken morale within the Coast Guard, and damage Greece’s international standing on accountability and the rule of law in maritime operations.
