Report
EU Borderveillance
Maritime Surveillance and Third Country Agreements
For free
On June 14, 2023, the Mediterranean witnessed one of the worst migration tragedies when the fishing trawler *Adriana* sank off the coast of Greece, leading to the deaths of approximately 600 people, including women and children who were confined below deck. The vessel was carrying around 750 migrants, with only 104 survivors, all of whom were men.
Despite the Greek Coast Guard being present at the site and receiving multiple distress calls from passengers, their response was notably slow. Instead of promptly evacuating the passengers, authorities limited their actions to providing food and water, which exacerbated tensions among the migrants. When the Coast Guard attempted to tow the boat using ropes, this further destabilized the vessel, ultimately causing it to capsize in open waters.
The *Adriana* tragedy highlights the persistent failure to manage migration crises, with the European Union prioritizing border security over saving lives. European countries face mounting criticism for relying on advanced surveillance technologies to curb migration while evading their humanitarian and legal obligations, effectively turning the Mediterranean into an open grave for thousands of migrants.
Product details
Date of Publication
January 2025
Publisher
Refugees=Partners
Number of Pages
54
Licence