Ombudsman calls for thorough Coast Guard probe into Chios migrant deaths
Greece’s Ombudsman on Thursday urged the Coast Guard to carry out an “impartial and extensive” investigation into the deaths of 15 migrants following a collision between a Coast Guard vessel and a small inflatable boat off Chios earlier this week.
In a statement, the Ombudsman’s office said it would monitor the investigation, provide procedural comments if needed, and issue its own report once the Coast Guard inquiry concludes. The authority emphasized that a full internal probe is vital to uphold basic rights and maintain the Coast Guard’s credibility.
The Ombudsman called on investigators to include Coast Guard radio communications, testimonies from survivors, and forensic analyses to determine whether firearms were used by personnel during the incident.
According to the Coast Guard, a patrol boat encountered an eight-meter inflatable vessel carrying around 40 migrants at about 9 p.m. Tuesday. The vessel allegedly ignored orders to stop, accelerating and colliding with the Coast Guard ship.
Fourteen bodies were recovered at sea, and a woman later died in hospital. Twenty-four people, including 11 children, survived and were treated for fractures and internal injuries. All migrants were Afghan nationals. A Moroccan survivor has been charged with allegedly piloting the boat and involvement in migrant smuggling.
