ATHENS, Greece: Demonstrators in Athens gathered on the anniversary of a shipwreck that claimed hundreds of migrant lives, demanding answers and accountability.
In June 2023, a fishing trawler carrying up to 700 migrants from Pakistan, Syria, and Egypt capsized off southwestern Greece, despite being monitored by the Greek coast guard.
Survivors, haunted by nightmares, seek closure as questions linger about the EU’s approach to migrant flows and the fate of the victims.
Activists planned rallies in major European cities, while families in Pakistan prepared memorial ceremonies for their lost loved ones.
Survivors allege the coast guard’s actions caused the disaster, but authorities argue that overcrowding led to the vessel’s overturning.
A year later, a naval court probe into the coast guard’s role remains in its infancy, leaving survivors and families frustrated.
Identification efforts continue, with many families from diverse backgrounds awaiting closure through DNA tests in Greece.
Among the missing is Fahad, whose family in Pakistan clings to hope despite the lack of closure.
As Athens residents like Hasan Ali wait for answers, the tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the ongoing migrant crisis and the need for accountability.
