The recent assertions by Amnesty International emphasize that the evidence surrounding the sinking near Pylos and the subsequent rescue response warrants accountability from Greek authorities and the Hellenic Coast Guard. The tragedy, which occurred last June when a migrant boat went down off the coast of Pylos, resulted in hundreds of lives lost or missing, sparking international condemnation and calls for thorough scrutiny of maritime search and rescue operations.
According to Amnesty International researchers, the ship Adriana was involved in a catastrophic incident marked by credible, consistent allegations of responsibility on the part of Greek authorities and the coast guard. The critique centers on the rescue effort, which has been described as deeply flawed and incapable of preventing a preventable loss of life. The report underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the handling of the disaster, noting persistent concerns voiced by survivors and families of the victims for eight months without full disclosure or a clear accounting of what transpired.
The organization argues that reports of violent expulsions at national borders continue to surface, and there is little evidence that Greek authorities have integrated lessons learned from the tragedy. It calls on authorities to acknowledge responsibility and to ensure that future migration management funding does not enable human rights violations. Amnesty International pressed for heightened efforts at the European level, ahead of upcoming deliberations in the European Parliament about the consequences of migration and border management practices.
The advocacy group also urged the European Union to establish independent and effective mechanisms to monitor compliance with human rights standards in border operations and search and rescue missions. The aim is to prevent further loss of life and to create robust oversight that can deter negligence or misconduct in similar incidents.
Official accounts indicate that roughly 600 people were reported dead or missing after the fishing vessel sank near Pylos in the Peloponnese region in mid-June of the previous year. More than a hundred migrants were rescued by the Greek Coast Guard in the immediate aftermath. Greek authorities have maintained that the ship refused assistance and that passengers were not in danger until moments before the capsize. However, analyses of data from the MarineTraffic portal, cited by BBC, suggest navigation issues occurred during the period in question and have intensified criticism of the coast guard’s actions at the time.
In this context, Amnesty International’s stance is that independent verification and accountability processes are essential to restore trust, protect human rights at sea, and guide future policy and operational reforms. The organization emphasizes that ongoing scrutiny from European and international bodies is necessary to ensure that responses to migration crises align with international humanitarian standards and that any state conduct during border enforcement and search and rescue operations is subject to rigorous, impartial review, with outcomes clearly communicated to the public. A call remains for transparent investigations and for mechanisms that can hold authorities to account when negligence or systemic failures are identified.