Farmakonissi migrants talk about their rescue operation

18:26 24/1/2014 - Πηγή: E-Typos

Testimonies of rescued undocumented migrants of the shipwreck off Farmakonissi flatly contradict claims of violent and unhuman behaviour by Coast Guard staff towards the migrants.
According to their statements, the Coast Guard collected them from the sea immediately, preventing drownings. As one of many similar testimonies said, "While being tugged by the Coast

Guard vessel. two people fell in the sea, I don't know why, and afterwards all the others went to look on one side of the fishing boat, which capsized." The speaker is a female migrant whose statement was released on Friday.
She added, "When they picked us up, they took us to land, gave us clothes, water and food, and took us to hospital."
On his part, Merchant Marine Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis speaking to ANA-MPA on Friday said that he has already requested from Naval Court of Piraeus to conduct an investigation into the circumstances of the maritime accident off Farmakonissi. He also said that he did not carry out a sworn administrative inquiry because the prosecutor is responsible for the investigation.
"We have two difficult missions as body, first to protect our borders and second that not a single life is lost," he added.
It should be noted that Amnesty International in an announcement Thursday called on the Greek government to conduct a transparent and thorough investigation into the circumstances of the accident.