Greece boat disaster: 'Instead of saving us they sank the boat'

While the names of the survivors have been withheld for their own safety, their identities have been verified through multiple sources. Some of these survivors are currently being held at the Malakasa refugee reception center, situated 40km (25 miles) northeast of Athens, while others have left the complex. However, the center remains off-limits to the media, with barbed wire surrounding its premises.

According to an Egyptian survivor who spoke to the BBC, they had hoped for a rescue by the Greek coastguard, but instead, they claim that the coastguard sank their boat. The survivor asserts that the Greek coastguard was towing the vessel when it capsized in one of the Mediterranean's deepest areas, approximately 80km (50 miles) off the Greek coast.

The Greek authorities have previously denied these allegations, stating that they attempted to secure the boat by tying a rope to it to assess the situation. However, they claim that the people on board resisted, expressing their desire to continue their journey to Italy. Contradicting this official account, a Syrian survivor affirms that the boat was indeed towed from the side at a high speed, corroborating the Egyptian survivor's assertion that the coastguard "forcibly pulled them, causing the trawler to capsize."

Several survivors report that Greek authorities urged them not to speak to the media about the incident, specifically warning them against blaming the Greek coastguard for their rescue attempts. One survivor alleges that Greek officials pressured him to change his account of the events in exchange for financial aid and expedited processing of their refugee status applications.

When approached for comment, Greek authorities declined, citing an ongoing official investigation into the sinking. They directed attention to their previous statements, reiterating their denial of towing the trawler and emphasizing that their repeated offers of assistance were rejected.

Sea-Watch, a German non-governmental organization involved in rescuing migrants and refugees in the Mediterranean, expressed concern about the incident. While acknowledging insufficient information to assess the exact circumstances, their head of operations highlighted the inherent dangers of towing an old vessel with hundreds of people in heavy seas, calling it a sure recipe for disaster.

Two survivors revealed that Greek authorities, through interpreters and lawyers, requested their testimony against nine Egyptians who have been accused of people trafficking. However, all four survivors maintain that the nine Egyptians were fellow passengers, seated among them during the journey. They contend that the ship's crew, who wore masks and remained mostly in the cabin, attempted to sail the boat when the coastguard approached.

Relatives of missing Egyptians have shared their fears with the BBC, claiming they paid $4,500 (£3,500) per person for the ill-fated journey. The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has welcomed investigations into the incident and called for urgent action to prevent further deaths at sea. The UNHCR emphasizes that search and rescue operations at sea are not only a humanitarian imperative but also a legal obligation, urging the European Union to establish safe and regular pathways in the Mediterranean.

According to UNHCR data, approximately 80,000 individuals have crossed the Mediterranean to reach EU states this year, with an estimated 1,200 people having died or gone missing during their perilous journeys. The Greece boat disaster serves as a tragic reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive and humane responses to the ongoing migration crisis in the region.