Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001028/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Kostas Papadakis (NI), Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI)
The Pylos shipwreck, a tragic crime which claimed the lives of at least 600 refugees and migrants, remains unpunished. The Greek Ombudsman’s findings reveal that the Nea Dimokratia Government bears huge responsibility in the matter.
These findings follow on from Frontex’s own report, in which serious accusations were made against the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Coast Guard. However, Frontex’s findings are being hushed up and the enormous responsibilities of Frontex itself are being concealed. Although the Frontex plane sighted the fishing vessel and detected the dangerous route it was on, it failed to issue a mayday call and made no attempt whatsoever to prevent the shipwreck because it ‘was ordered not to’.
In light of the above,
- 1.What is the Commission’s take of the information brought to light in the Greek Ombudsman’s findings and in the previous findings of Frontex’s Fundamental Rights Office and of the European Ombudsman, which show that the Nea Dimokratia Government and the Greek authorities bear objective responsibilities for the deadly Pylos shipwreck, as does Frontex, given that it made no effort to prevent the shipwreck even though it was present in the area?
- 2.What view does the Commission take of the fact that the continuous and recurring shipwreck incidents that have turned the Mediterranean into a graveyard, are the result of the EU and government policy of stepping up the migration crackdown at the borders, with the assistance of Frontex, which will intensify with the Pact on Migration and Asylum that is being promoted?
Submitted: 10.3.2025