For Tempi: A call by lawyers and organisations representing the survivors of the Pylos shipwreck
There are no words to describe the crime that occurred in Tempi on 28 February 2023 – a crime that claimed the lives of 57 people and injured another 181, 32 of whom were seriously wounded. Two years later, the victims and their families continue to demand justice. They call for the truth to come to light, for the crime not to be covered up, and for the perpetrators to be held accountable for the actions and omissions that led to the collision. Together with society standing by their side, the relatives of the Tempi victims fight for accountability and against any attempts to obscure the responsibility of those truly at fault.
Just months after the crime in Tempi, another tragedy shook Greece and the world: the Pylos shipwreck on 13-14 June 2023. While some may refer to these events as accidents or tragedies, they meet the objective and subjective elements of crimes that led to horrific loss of life. In the Pylos crime, 650 people lost their lives. In this crime as well, as in Tempi, the relatives of the victims and the survivors of Pylos are calling for justice and accountability for the drowning of their loved ones. The actions of the responsible authorities – who failed to rescue the people in distress, as they were obligated to do, in violation of every regulation – along with the fatal towing attempt reported by the majority of survivors, claim accountability and justice. The Greek Ombudsman, in its Findings, highlighted grave failures in the duties of search and rescue by senior officers of the Hellenic Coast Guard, which constitute clear indications of fatal exposure and endangering the life, health, and safety of those aboard the fishing vessel “Adriana.”
From the very beginning of the investigation into the Pylos shipwreck as well, serious deficiencies in evidence collection have been highlighted. Crucial pieces of evidence that should have been available are missing: the absence of footage from the cameras on the HCG vessel No. 920; the malfunction of the VDR recording system; and significant gaps in the recording and provision of telephone communications. The most glaring example is the absence of critical communications before and during the sinking of the “Adriana” from the wired exchanges of the National Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (EKSED). Additionally, there was significant delay in confiscating the mobile phones of the HCG vessel No. 920 crew members, and no order was issued to seize the phones of Ministry officials. Recent media revelations of audio recordings from key EKSED communications raise further concerns about the concealment of crucial evidence. Moreover, the Ombudsman’s report highlighted missing evidence requested from the Hellenic Coast Guard and the EKSED, as well as incomplete data that was provided.
The judicial investigation and accountability for the criminal train collision in Tempi and the Pylos shipwreck are fundamental issues of Rule of Law. For a thorough and comprehensive investigation by the judiciary, transparency must be ensured, and all possible evidence must be safeguarded. Holding those responsible to account for these crimes and addressing any attempts at a cover-up are vital for our democracy and justice system.
We stand in solidarity with the victims and families affected by the criminal Tempi train collision, who demand justice, transparency, and accountability for the unjust and criminal deaths of their loved ones. For this reason, we will join them on 28 February at 11:00 in the strike demonstration at Syntagma Square.
The organisations and collectivities:
Network for the Social Support of Refugees and Migrants
Hellenic League for Human Rights (HlHR)
Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)
Initiative of Lawyers and Jurists for the shipwreck of Pylos
Refugee Support Aegean (RSA)
Legal Centre Lesvos
