Families torn apart, dreams of a better future submerged, as what is believed to be the largest post-war shipwreck off the Greek coast claims the lives of up to 650 migrants. The Greek coast guard is now under scrutiny for their alleged inaction despite having a 15-hour window to initiate a rescue. The boat, which had previously made repeated journeys carrying approximately 750 people, departed from Tobruk, Libya, bound for Italy, but tragically sank near Pylos in the Peloponnese.
The Greek coast guard was acutely aware of the imperilled vessel drifting in the Mediterranean. The Italian Coast Guard, Frontex – the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and Alarmphone – a hotline for refugees in distress at sea, had all sounded the alert, imploring for swift action. Yet, despite authorities’ claims that the panic-stricken refugees “refused to be rescued”, survivors tell a distressingly different story.
In a scenario provoking both disbelief and indignation, the Greek coast guard’s patrol boat navigated to the sinking vessel, not with the intent to rescue, but astonishingly, to tow. Despite claims from authorities that the panic-stricken refugees ‘refused to be rescued’, survivors weave a distressingly different narrative. They argue that the ill-advised decision to tow the overloaded vessel did not just fail to alleviate the crisis, but tragically, caused the boat to capsize. This chilling firsthand account underscores the heartbreaking transformation of a potential rescue operation into an unforeseen disaster, casting a grim shadow over the actions of those who were expected to be guardians at sea.
We, the Greek Solidarity Network (GSN UK), refuse to accept the chilling regularity of such tragedies as normal. The loss of hundreds of lives off the coast of Pylos is not just a heartbreaking incident; it highlights deeper, systemic issues. The Greek State has channelled considerable resources into sealing off safe passages for migrants, both by land and sea.
This tragic event is the product of a system perpetuated by Western wars, climate crises, and the exploitation of the Global South. Both smugglers and mafias have profited from this system, exploiting humanity’s plight. Pylos serves as a stark reminder of the EU’s policies that promote a New Pact for ratification, solidifying its role as a protector of the global elite. It enforces a role for ‘host’ countries in the developing South to act as concentration camps of fixed capacity. The surplus in living bodies is left to meet their fate beyond the water fences, their despair serving as a deterrent for those who still dare to consider leaving their ravaged lands in pursuit of a better future.
Meanwhile, european citizens have been conditioned to accept the increasingly rigorous defence measures against what is perceived as a ‘barbarian invasion’. The rise of far-right political forces and the shift of mainstream parties towards ultra-nationalism or apathy ominously echoes past historical episodes of fascism and mass violence.
Over recent years, more and more names are added to the list of those lost at sea, strengthening Europe’s ‘protection’ wall with the lives of those seeking safety. The recent deaths, along with those from 2021 in the Aegean Sea and near the Greek island of Farmakonosi, prompt us to question this approach to safety. In Greece, the EU has allocated 820 million euros over the next four years to enhance border security, with only a meagre 600k dedicated to search and rescue operations. It’s clear where the Greek state’s priorities lie.
We, on the other hand, prioritise people. The perished in the Pylos shipwreck did not choose this life, did not choose to suffer the consequences of colonialism, wars, and capitalist exploitation. Instead, they chose to fight, escape misery, and build better futures for their families. The interests of the poor are often sidelined by those in power, contributing to systemic inequality.
We strongly criticise the western elite’s hypocrisy of supporting totalitarian regimes in the Middle East, enabling them to suppress democracy and persecute their people. When these same people seek refuge in Europe, surprise should not be the reaction.
We insist that the 27,000 individuals who have drowned in the Mediterranean since 2014 are not just statistics; they were potential friends, neighbours, and classmates for our children. We commit to fight for them and those who will inevitably follow, for right now, somewhere in the world, people are leaving their homes to risk treacherous voyages in search of safety and brighter future.
We demand that refugees and immigrants be given the choice of safer routes to Europe, not the most perilous ones, when fleeing persecution. Join us in this fight for their right to safety. We ask that you stand in solidarity with us.
Greek Solidarity Network UK
https://www.facebook.com/GreekSolidarityNetworkUK/