Witnesses Claim Greek Coastguard Threw Migrants Overboard

GREECE – Witnesses allege the Greek coastguard has caused the deaths of dozens of migrants in the Mediterranean over the past three years, including 9 who were deliberately thrown into the water.

According to a BBC analysis, more than 40 people died after being forced out of Greek territorial waters or taken back to sea. The Greek coastguard denies these accusations.

A former senior greek coastguard officer, shown footage of migrants being abandoned at sea, called the act “obviously illegal” and “an international crime.”

Accusations against the greek government for illegal forced returns to turkey are longstanding, but this is the first time fatalities have been documented.