Serious boating accident involving migrants: Greek minister speaks for the first time Cassis meets European Commission deputy Sefcovic on July 18 in Brussels

After the boat disaster that left hundreds of migrants drowned off the west of Greece more than three weeks ago, Greece’s new Migration Minister, Dimitris Kairidis, took a stand for the first time – sharply criticizing foreign media, refugee organizations and MEPs.

There have been malicious statements, said Kairidis, referring to allegations that the Greek coast guard capsized the ship. But it was the Greek Coast Guard who rescued those who could be rescued – not aid organisations, MEPs or foreign correspondents.

“The Coast Guard has consistently rescued tens of thousands of migrants who have entrusted their lives to criminal smugglers in recent years,” he said. Saving lives or facilitating the smugglers’ work, as some would like, are different things. “We are humane, but we are not naive.”

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Kairidis referred to the judiciary: “An independent judicial investigation (into the accident) is currently underway, the results of which I have no way of knowing.” Meanwhile, all comments are closely monitored, no matter how malicious they are. It is still the intention of the government to have a fair but strict migration policy. It should not be the human traffickers who determine who enters Europe and who does not.

It was Kairidis’ first public statement as minister on the tragedy. The sinking of the dilapidated fishing vessel fell between two Greek parliamentary elections – there was only one transitional government in office at the time.

Hundreds of people died in the accident; they were trapped below deck in the boat and were dragged down. The Coast Guard rescued 104 and another 82 could only be found dead.

(dsc/sda/dpa)