A damning BBC investigation has brought to light allegations that the Greek Coast Guard has been involved in pushback operations resulting in the deaths of at least 43 migrants in the Mediterranean Sea from 2020 to 2023. The report, which analyzed 15 separate incidents, claims that migrants were deliberately thrown into the sea, some with their hands tied, or placed on inflatable boats without motors that later deflated or were punctured. Witnesses have come forward with harrowing stories, including a Somali man who was allegedly zip-tied and thrown into the sea, and a Syrian man who witnessed children dying on a sinking raft. A former Greek Coast Guard worker, upon reviewing video evidence, commented on the illegality and criminal nature of these nighttime operations. Despite the Greek Coast Guard’s denials and emphasis on their rescue efforts, which have saved over a quarter-million people since 2015, the investigation raises serious concerns about the treatment of migrants and adherence to international laws. The Greek government has been accused of illegal pushbacks, a claim they have consistently rejected, but the accumulation of eyewitness accounts and corroborated incidents suggests a pattern of behavior that contravenes international humanitarian standards.
Key points
- BBC investigation accuses Greek Coast Guard of causing at least 43 migrant deaths through pushback operations.
- Witnesses claim migrants were thrown into the sea, some with hands tied, or left on deflating boats.
- Former Greek Coast Guard worker and other witnesses describe the operations as illegal and an international crime.
